West Bengal to build a replica of Eiffel tower

Kolkata: In a show of solidarity and remembrance to those who died in the November 13 Paris terror attacks, the West Bengal government is building a scale model of the iconic Eiffel Tower at the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ themed Eco Park in Rajarhat — a township adjoining the capital city of Kolkata.

“This is our way to tell the world that we want to preserve all that is beautiful anywhere in the world and against all those who want to destroy them. It was a gruesome attack on innocent people who all wanted to live in this beautiful world,” said Firhad Hakim, state urban development minister.

The state government later wants to collaborate with the French government so they can get to tune the model in accordance to the original iconic structure in Paris.

Though the replica will be almost one-sixth of the original structure which stands at 324-metres, the tower in Kolkata will also have two levels where visitors can climb up to the observation room at a height of 25-meters from the ground, and get a scenic view of the township.

Apart from two elevators, the building plan also includes a coffee shop and a souvenir shop, just like the original structure.

To be built by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), the body which also governs the township and maintains the theme park is considered as master creation of the state government in this concrete jungle, which has given the residents a recreational space, unlike any.

The Institute for Steel Development and Growth has prepared the architectural and structural designs of the Eiffel prototype and artist Rupchand Kunda has been commissioned to design the replica, HIDCO officials informed, adding that the foundation stone will be laid on November 28, and it will take three years to complete the project.

An estimated 300 tons of steel will be used for the project; the structure will be 18-storeys high and will join other world famous landmarks that will be recreated in the park including the Taj Mahal from India, Christ the Redeemer from Brazil, Chichen Itza from Mexico, the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Colosseum in Rome.

Presently, two iconic strictures of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial and the Shaheed Minar (tower of the martyrs) have been illuminated in the French national colours, to mourn the tragic event earlier this month.

“It is our humble effort to show camaraderie to all those who lost their lives in the attack and express concern on the growing magnitude of terrorism across the globe,” Jayanta Sengupta curator of the Victoria Memorial said.