Convention centre in Moshi awaits environment clearance

PUNE: The proposed Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre to be built at Moshi on the Pune-Nashik highway is awaiting environment clearance from the state government.
The centre will be built by the Pimpri Chinchwad New Township Development Authority. PCNTDA chief executive officer Suresh Jadhav said, "We have applied for environmental clearance for the project.Some hearings have been held and the PCNTDA has answered the queries that were raised," he said.
Jadhav said the government has sought more information on the project, which the PCNTDA will submit within a week.
Once it receives the environmental clearance, the authority will appoint a transaction advisor or financial consultant for the convention centre. Chandrakant Jawale, superintendent engineer (projects), PCNTDA, said, "There was a difference of opinion with the earlier consultant we had appointed, because of which he left the project."
In the first phase, the authority will undertake land development works and construction of the compound wall. The PCNTDA wants to complete this work before the monsoon. However, work may be held up if the environmental clearance is delayed, Jawale said.
In the second phase, works such as construction of internal roads, parking facilities and toilet blocks will be undertaken. All the works will be completed in the next financial year.
He will suggest the architect and consultant to be appointed for designing the three exhibition halls. We will later invite bids to select the contractor and appoint a project management consultant to supervise the implementation of the project," Jadhav said.
The PCNTDA has made a provision of Rs 44 crore for the project in 2015-16. The state government has given approval to spend Rs 100 crore on the convention centre. "We will have to seek approval to get additional funds from the state government," Jadhav said.