Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is close to making Aker Kvaerner Powergas, the Indian subsidiary of Norway-based engineering and construction services major Aker Kvaerner, an active consultant to his Rs 400 crore residential project ?Antilia?.
The move follows the exit of the original consultant to the project, Singapore?s Leighton Asia, citing inability to execute the frequent changes in design suggested by the promoters.
Kvaerner had been involved with the project from the start, but will now have a bigger role to play in completing the project.
Five to six floors of Antilia, coming up at Mumbai?s plush locality Altamount Road, have already been completed by Leighton.
According to sources close to the development, the promoters of Antilia have placed certain terms and conditions before Kvaerner, who is also involved with 10 other Reliance projects.
One of the conditions is that the project design would have to be up to the promoter?s satisfaction.
Industry observers feel that Kvaerner?s long years of association with Antilia?s promoters would mean a better working relationship between the two compared to Leighton.
When contacted, Pothen Paul, managing director, Aker Kvaerner Powergas Ltd declined to talk about Antilia.
He, however said that the company is actively involved with Reliance in ten ?substantial projects?, which includes the Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Centre and certain projects in the KG Basin. Both parties are said to have had a series of meetings on the project. Kvaerner is said to be looking at residential projects as a natural extension of their engineering and construction business.
Antilia is considered an architectural marvel, with six floors of parking space, four floors of gardens, an entertainment floor, two floors of apartments for guests and seven lifts. The residence will also comprise a 50-seater theatre, a huge swimming pool and three helipads.
