Mizoram's Peace City project draws 18 bidders
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Aizawl: Eighteen leading companies, including multinational giants, have entered the competitive bidding process to design the master plan for the ambitious Peace City project proposed for Thenzawl town in Serchhip district.
The project aims to create a modern, sustainable urban space for around 10 lakh residents.
During a review meeting on Monday, chaired by CM Lalduhoma, urban development & poverty alleviation secretary Lalmalsawma Pachuau said the Request for Proposal was issued on July 22. The consultant selection is expected by early Sept, with work commencing in Oct and major planning phases concluding within the current financial year.
The Peace City initiative, backed by a Rs 10 crore allocation from the ministry of housing & urban affairs (MoHUA), has ignited political controversy. Opposition parties, led by the Mizo National Front (MNF), accuse the CM of harbouring a hidden agenda to relocate the state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl, his constituency.
MNF leader and former CM Zoramthanga likened Lalduhoma's actions to those of medieval ruler Muhammad bin Tughlaq, notorious for his erratic capital relocation. In response, the urban development & poverty alleviation department clarified that there are no plans to move the capital, attributing the confusion to a miscommunication from the Centre.
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