**Mira Bhayandar: Slaughterhouse Tender Rolled Back, Rs 50 Crore Diverted to Balasaheb Thackeray Art Gallery**
Less than 24 hours after the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) rolled back the tender inviting bids for the construction of a slaughterhouse in Uttan, the state government authorities have diverted funds amounting to Rs 50 crore towards the upcoming art gallery dedicated to Maharashtra’s iconic leader and Shiv Sena founder, the late Balasaheb Thackeray.
### Corrigendum Issued
According to the corrigendum issued by the state’s Urban Development Department on 7 October, the funds initially meant for the slaughterhouse will now be allocated for a world-class art gallery. This gallery is being constructed on a vast 1.80 lakh square feet plot reserved for social forestation in the Golden Nest area of Bhayandar East.
Notably, former BJP legislator Narendra Mehta had threatened to end his life by jumping off the main administration building of the civic body if the slaughterhouse project was not scrapped. Fearing potential law and order issues, MBMC’s Public Works Department (PWD) withdrew the tender just three days after it was floated on 3 October.
As per Section 63 (12) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, reasonable and adequate provisions must be made by corporations for the construction or acquisition and maintenance of public markets and slaughterhouses, including their regulation.
In an apparent move to avoid complications before the likely imposition of the model code of conduct for the upcoming assembly elections, the state government hastily diverted the funds to the art gallery project.
### About the Project
The art gallery is designed to showcase the significant era of Balasaheb Thackeray’s life and legacy, blending modern technology with historical artifacts. Proposed by Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik, the majestic structure will house special galleries featuring articles and books associated with the Shiv Sena supremo.
Visitors will also find a collection of select political and social cartoons, rare photographs, editorials, and digitized versions of famous speeches in multiple languages, presented through multimedia audio technology.
Apart from the galleries, the project includes an amphitheatre, museum, e-library, music centre, study rooms, multi-purpose halls, conference room, cafeteria, and a replica of Raigad Fort. The fort replica will serve as the entrance, aiming to evoke the era of Shivaji Maharaj for those visiting the memorial.
This grand initiative seeks to preserve and promote the cultural and political heritage of one of Maharashtra’s most influential leaders through an immersive and engaging experience.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mira-bhayandar-50-crore-diverted-from-uttan-slaughterhouse-project-to-upcoming-balasaheb-thackeray-art-gallery
