State Govt's disregard of PM, Sonia :: After 18 months of inauguration, City Convention Centre remains incomplete
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 07, 2013: The so-called landmark City Convention Centre, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on December 3, 2011 during the tenure of SPF-II, is still in an incomplete stage even after 18 months of its inauguration.

People from different fronts have charged the State government of dishonouring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi by not commissioning the Centre which was dedicated to the people of the State by these top leaders.

The City Convention Centre is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.53 crores by Simplex Infrastructures, Kolkata with State PWD as the implementing agency.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had hurriedly put up the Centre for inauguration during a short sojourn of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in 2011 even if the construction of the Centre was not completed fully.

City Convention Centre - Picture Credit :: Nongmai M

As per investigation done by Hueiyen Lanpao regarding the work progress of City Centre Centre, the building was not properly furnished with VIP chairs still stocked up in storerooms.

Electrification works inside the building were also not completed, even though the Centre is illuminated like a Palace from outside.

The Centre, which has been constructed on par with the standards of New Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan for holding top level conferences, has got no sound system in its conference halls.

An official of PWD disclosed that MAHUD has not yet sanctioned fund for furnishing and other works of the building.

The Simplex Infrastructures is now reluctant to further the works as the company has already exceeded the estimated amount of Rs.53 crores.

Delay in fund allocation is the main factor for incompletion of the City Convention Centre, the official noted.

The official further mentioned that the Centre would further require Rs.26.26 crores more for the installation of sound system, furniture and other equipments.

The Department concerned has submitted the proposal for fund allocation to the State government.

Only Rs.8 crores was sanctioned during the last financial year and so not much progress was made in the completion of City Convention Centre, the official added.

The Centre Convention Centre comprises a large auditorium with sitting capacity of 700 delegates, a hall with capacity of 200 people, mini-hall with capacity of 80 people, art gallery and audio-visual room.

The Centre could be completed for general use only if the State government sanctions the requisite fund as soon as possible, the official asserted.