Mangaluru: Town hall opening set for Children’s Day - November 14

Mangaluru: Town hall opening set for Children’s Day - November 14

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 25, 2015:   The Town Hall, renovation of which was at a standstill for a year  due to the alleged lack of planning on the part of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), is expected to be ready for opening on November 14, Children’s Day.

According to J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, the hall should be made available for people since then after providing an opportunity for children.   This month the corporation awarded major pending works by dividing it into four packages to four contractors.

According to a MCC  official, the contractors were selected by inviting short-term bids.  The package works included sound, lighting, false ceiling and acoustic panelling costing Rs. 98 lakh; fixing seats at a cost of Rs. 60 lakh; laying cables and installing a generator at a cost of Rs. 49 lakh; air-conditioning work at a cost of Rs. 48 lakh.

Earlier in October, 2014, the civic body awarded works costing Rs. 99.75 lakh to the Nirmiki Kendra. It included granite flooring of the hall, green room and VIP room and some other interior works.  The kendra too had been directed to complete the work by then.

The renovation works has missed many deadlines.   B. Ramanath Rai, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada, had set August-end as the deadline and later extended it to October-end. Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred extended it to November-end.   Now  MLA  Lobo has asked the corporation to get it ready for a November 14 inauguration.

The civic body took up the renovation as the Town Hall completed its golden jubilee in December, 2014. The hall had been closed for renovation from September, 2014.

A centre of many cultural activities, several organisations and artistes do not have a suitable venue.  The otherwise rainy season yakshagana shows, dramas could not take place this year.   Minister  Rai went on to an extent of blaming “an upright officer” at the corporation as responsible for the delay in completing renovation work.