Town Hall renovation, long delayed may re-open November 14

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 10, 2015 : Mangaluru’s Town Hall which opened it’s doors in December 1964, is now set to be reopened more than a year after being closed down for renovation after many uncertainties, the Town Hall here is set to re-open on November 14, Children’s Day.

Performers of Yakshagana, drama, dance, music, and students, among others, were finding it difficult when the hall remained shut.

Had it been open, it’s golden jubilee would have been observed last December.  Due to lack of planning by Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on the extent of works to be taken up, the renovation was mired in controversies.

The Opposition BJP staged a dharna in front of the civic body in June’15, pressing the corporation to resume works which had come to a halt in between.

Slow progress of works provided an opportunity for the BJP to criticize the ruling Congress for not taking the renovation works seriously.

In fact, the renovation works got under way only two-and-half months ago, after splitting the works, getting approval from the council, and inviting short-term bids.

The civil works taken up by the Nirmiti Kendra, a year ago, had come to an abrupt halt after it reportedly refused to continue with all works.

Later the works were fragmented and given to different contractors.

K.S. Linge Gowda, executive engineer in-charge of the project, stated that the work orders for five different contractors were issued only during the last week of August. Now only 10 per cent of works were remaining. They were related to “finishing”, he said.   Gowda said that many workers are now busy in completing the works and cleaning up.

He said that the trial of sound and lighting system would be conducted mid week. The hall would be inaugurated at 12.30 p.m. on Nov 14, Saturday. Cultural programmes have been scheduled.