Nagpur: It seems that the City Signature Concert Hall – Kavivar Suresh Bhat Auditorium – proved to be a white elephant for Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) who lacked money.
Auditorium of 2,000 seats, which was built at the cost of the RS73 crore, opened in December 2017.
NMC estimates the auditorium to set a cashier ring.
But far from it, NMC has gotten only RS3 Crore in the last five years and worse, spend more than RS7 Crore for operation and maintenance (O & M).
The source shows that because it focuses on providing better civil facilities, the auditorium seems to have come out of the NMC priority list.
During his recent visit to the Auditorium, MP City and Transport Minister Union Nitin Gadkari expressed displeasure due to lack of care.
Gadkari has held a meeting with the Mayor of Dayashankar Tiwari, the party leader in power Avinash Thakre, Commissioner of Radhakrishnan B, among others last week in this matter.
The source said Gadkari stated sadness over the maintenance of the auditorium and showed the need for an elevator.
He said NMC had to find a way to keep the facilities and walk.
Gadkari emphasizes outsourcing the entire auditorium to a single entity that will be entrusted with operation and maintenance.
Sources show that low leases are proven obstacles to meet operating and maintenance costs.
Previously, NMC wanted to repair rent at a price of RS20,000 for three hours and expect at least 20 bookings a month to maintain this luxury auditorium.
The source said because the pressure of the ruling party leader, NMC must reduce the rental rates proposed and bring it to RS5,000 for cultural, arts and education events.
Now, the Ministry of Public Works Hanuman Nagar Zone has searched for RS51.74 Lakh to do repair and maintenance work.
A proposal was put forward before the committee meeting was still referred to by his chairman Prakash Bhoard on Tuesday.