New Delhi

Bharat Ratna B R Ambedkar’s memorial can now be built in Mumbai at a place where his last rites were performed, with an agreement being signed here today to resolve the long-pending issue of land transfer.

The tripartite agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi between the Union Textiles Ministry, the Government of Maharashtra and the National Textile Corporation for transfer of 12 acres of land adjacent to the Chaityabhoomi in the Indu Mills Compound in Mumbai, a PMO statement said.

“The agreement, signed at the initiative of the Prime Minister, paves the way for resolving the long-pending issue of transfer of land from the National Textiles Corporation to the government of Maharashtra to enable construction of a befitting memorial for Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar,” the statement said.

Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, passed away on December 6, 1956, and his last rites were conducted at this place.

“Agreement signed today resolves a long pending issue on transferring of land for Dr Ambedkar’s memorial,” Modi tweeted.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Textiles Santosh Gangwar, who also witnessed the agreement signing, thanked the Prime Minister for his initiative in removing the hurdles in transfer of land for construction of the memorial for Babasaheb Ambedkar, the PMO statement said.

Fadnavis said a beautiful memorial would now be constructed for Babasaheb.

PTI