Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) ordered an investigation against the procedural and financial lapses in the appointment of Singapore-based architectural and landscaping consultant for the upcoming African Safari project in Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoo.

 

Serious allegations against FDCM and FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited (FGZ) have been made by a city-based Right To Information (RTI) activist for unlawfully awarding consultancy work worth over Rs 10 crore to Bernard Harrison and Friends, Singapore without issuing and tender notice, conducting a competitive bidding, or obtaining mandatory administrative sanction from the State Government. According to the complaint, the consulting company was appointed for the Gorewada project at a cost of Rs 10.05 crore and the appointment was made by Joint Venure partner Essel World Leisure Private Limited without following competitive tender process. In 2022, when the joint venture withdrew from the project, FDCM took over and formed FGZ.

 

Despite being aware about the lapses in appointment of the Singapore-based consultant, the FDCM Board of Directors allegedly approved continuation of Bernard Harrison and Friend’s services. As per the sources, the joint venture withdrew at the time of Mahavikas Aghadi Government and the then Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod was the Chairman of Board of Directors of FDCM. “The Indian Safari in Gorewada Zoo took just two years to complete whereas after withdrawal of the joint venture with Essel World, the walking track is yet to be completed even after seven years,” said a senior forest official to The Hitavada. 

 

 

The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) India Limited, the implementing agency, got permission from Forest Department to fell around 3,000 trees in Gorewada zoo for construction of African Safari and walking track. NBCC has been selected to construct a 63-hectare African Safari at Gorewada International Zoo, with a budget of Rs 517.76 crore. Despite 2027 as the completion target, the project is yet to start due to various reasons. “The tendering process is already completed and the work order will be released soon. Whereas the process of tree felling will be commenced soon. The cutting of trees will be held after implementation of compensatory plantation,” said Pandurang Pakhale, Zoo Director, Gorewada Zoo. “After issuing the work order, the construction will take around two years time and it likely to be open for tourist in the year 2027,” claimed the Zoo Director.