KOLKATA: The iconic twin towers of the World Trade Center (WTC) that dominated the New York skyline till September 11, 2001, had 110 storeys each. Kolkata may soon boast its own WTC twin towers, though each will only be 20 storeys high.
According to highly placed sources, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, during the industry enclave meet in Mumbai last week, was approached by the promoters of WTC, Mumbai with a proposal to erect a similar structure in Kolkata.
The proposal has been forwarded to the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco), which has already earmarked a plot at the Central Business District (CBD) in Rajarhat's Action Area II.
Recently, Hidco authorities held a meeting where the chief planner of Hidco was present to draw up a proposal for setting up a World Trade Centre, possibly on a public-private-partnership (PPP) basis on a prime plot within New Town's CBD, said sources.
The Hidco authorities are now working on a common approach to the proposal, officials said. Hidco authorities will now send the proposal back to MVIRDC - the promoters of WTC Mumbai - so that they can take a look at the plot and the surrounding area, if required.
Hidco, sources said, are already at work to set up the WTC, that will have state-of-the-art infrastructure. The total cost has been pegged at Rs 180 crore.
There will be two towers, like the iconic twin towers of New York that were destroyed by terrorists in 2001. But while the New York buildings were each 110 storeys tall, the ones planned in Rajarhat will have 20 each, the sources added.
According to plans, it will be 20-storied twin towers for companies that want to set up offices in the financial hub. An estimate of Rs 180 crore was roughly estimated to build these twin towers.
Hidco authorities are working to bring in investment to expand the financial hub project.
The authorities have sent applications to hand over seven vacant plots having an area of nearly 14.6 acres of land located in the financial hub in the CBD area. The last date to send applications to get the plots have been fixed as October 9 this year. Already a number of reputed banking institutions have given offers to get plots in the financial hub.
Officials said that having a World Trade Centre structure in the same area in CBD where the financial hub is coming up will immensely help in developing the place as a world class business centre. Not only the place is located near the 480 acre eco tourism park, the authorities have also alloted land for setting up other important structures like the international convention centre, a museum of modern art and a five star hotel.
