MSKA auditorium yet to see light of day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2026: The construction of the Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) auditorium at Palace Compound, which began over a decade ago, remains incomplete to this day despite the expenditure of crores of rupees.

According to well-placed sources, MSKA is one of the departments/institutions that moved to other locations following the commissioning of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

MSKA was shifted to the complex of the Art and Culture Department at Palace Compound.

However, the construction of the MSKA auditorium, which started during the UPA Government in Manipur under former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, remains unfinished to this day, rendering it unusable.

MSKA auditorium yet to see light of day

The construction of the auditorium began with a project estimate of Rs 5 crore under the Ministry of Culture, with the Public Works Department as the executing agency.

Of the total Rs 5 crore, the State Government contributed Rs 2 crore, while the remaining amount was covered by the Ministry.

As the initial Rs 5 crore was insufficient to complete the project, additional funds were allocated under the State budget over time.

However, the auditorium remains incomplete to this day.

Sources revealed that a total of Rs 11 crore has been spent on the project so far, but only the exterior is complete while the interior remains unfinished.

It is further reported that funds for seats, interior design, sound system, lighting, and the stage were not included in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) when finalizing the project estimate.

Sources also stated that the PWD submitted an estimate of Rs 20 crore to complete the project, including all materials and components for the auditorium, when some former MSKA officials requested the PWD to provide an updated estimate about seven years back.

Meanwhile, the Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium, whose construction began after the MSKA auditorium, was inaugurated on November 17, 2013.As the Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium, constructed at a cost of Rs 11.5 crore, has already started generating revenue, the sources questioned why the MSKA auditorium is not progressing, despite having already spent Rs 11 crore.

The auditorium, which began construction with a clear vision to promote art and culture, has been used as a Covid testing center and as a camp for Central forces over the years.

A senior official of the Art and Culture Department told The Sangai Express that the MSKA Secretary has submitted a proposal to the State Government to seek funds from the Ministry of Finance under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for the project.

He expressed confidence that the Ministry will approve the proposal.

Another source said that a team of PWD officials recently conducted a survey of the MSKA auditorium.