New Raj Bhawan inaugurated

GANGTOK, 16 May: Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh dedicated the new Raj Bhavan to the people of Sikkim this afternoon coinciding the occasion with the 39th State Day celebrations.
The Governor first unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi after that he officially inaugurated the new Raj Bhawan, a replica of 123 years old Raj Bhawan albeit with state of the art facilities and technology.
The Governor commented that with a few cosmetic changes, this Raj Bhawan complex has the potential to become the most attractive Raj Bhawan in East India.
The old Raj Bhawan will be continue as the Governor’s residence while the new complex will host VVIPs and visiting Governors.
In his address today, the Governor also applauded Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for his leadership and positive pursuit of development.
The new Raj Bhawan building, developed at a cost of Rs. 39.74 crore, is a 3-storeyed complex which has incorporated Vaastu sensibilities and advanced building technology systems into the contruction. The ground floor houses a banquet hall for 150 people, the main kitchen, store, serving area, veg and non-veg sections, tea section, six guest rooms, common sitting room, one suite, one Attendant’s room, linen, clothing and AHU room, lobby and toilets.
The first floor will house the office of the Governor and the Raj Bhawan secretariat along with a conference hall built to seat 80, a VIP waiting room and a visitor’s room. 
On the second floor, the residence of Governor, and VVIP apartment along with master bed room and suite, a deluxe room, sitting room, security check lobby and exclusive dining room and pantry and attendant room.
The building have also equipped with auto fire detection and fire fighting arrangement systems. 
The new Raj Bhawan Building overlooking the old one is replica of earlier building in terms of fascia finishing, located approximately 70 meters of south west of the old Raj Bhawan and was conceived by state Building and Housing department and constructed by M/s Archtec Consultants Pvt. Limited, Kolkata with the initial cost of Rs. 20.97 crore which was later revised in built up area, changes in orientation, specifications, addition of finishing terms and involvement of additional protective works and creation of gardens in front and back side goes upto the cost of Rs. 39.74 crores, Building and Housing department Chief Engineer informed in a technical report.