Amusement park developers from countries like France, Singapore and UK have evinced interest to partner with Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) for two of its projects at dam sites nearby the city. The projects will be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) model for which RMC will invite global bids from the interested parties after the state assembly elections.
Ajay Bhadoo, municipal commissioner, RMC said, "We are planning to build amusement park at Aji Dam site and an aquarium at Nyari-1 Dam. The cost of both projects is around Rs 200 crore. It will be a public-private partnership."
RMC will allot land for the amusement park and aquarium, while the contractor will be appointed to set up and run it.
"RMC will not invest in these projects as we are providing land for the same. The income generated through amusement park and aquarium will be shared by RMC and the developer. However, equity sharing is yet to be decided," Bhadoo said.
RMC has planned to develop world class aquarium at Nyari-1 Dam and it has estimated the project cost at around Rs 170 crore for it.
The another project of amusement park will be developed on Aji Dam site and the estimated project cost is about Rs 30 crore. The amusement park will have different types of rides for children, a garden and a mini theater in it.
Corporation had already announced the projects, but enforcement of model code of conduct for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections made RMC postpone these projects to after the elections; possibly in January 2013.
Companies from Australia, France, Singapore and Britain have already shown interest in these projects and recently a French company had visited Rajkot to meet the RMC officials to know more about the projects.
"The tendering process will be online so that more companies will be able to participate in it and we also get best option for the development of the projects," Bhadoo added.
