MYSORE: Town Hall, a much sought after venue for cultural activities, is unlikely to be ready for Dasara festivities for the fourth year in a row.
With less than two months to go for the 10-day festivities to begin, the heritage building bears a grim look with construction material strewn all over its premises. Civil works at the century-old building are yet to be completed as the contractor had abandoned the project allegedly due to non-payment of bills. Renovation work of the Town Hall, construction of a basement parking facility and development of its premises was handed over to Secunderabad-based Chabra Associates.
The Mysore City Corporation had entered into an agreement with the private agency in April 2011 for a duration of 12 months.
But even after more than three years since work began, there are no signs of it getting completed in the near future.
All major works have been finished, expect for a few finishing touches and fixing of chairs at the gallery. At a meeting of the Town Hall Standing Committee on Saturday, its chairman Channappa and members said it was a matter of shame that the works had not been completed even after three years.
Getting the hall ready by Dasara is of much importance, especially for drama artistes, as it is one of the few stages available for drama in the city, they said.
The members instructed officials to take measures to clear the contractor’s bill as soon as possible if it is indeed pending. JNNURM assistant executive engineer Premananda Kumar said bills worth about `5 lakh are pending and added that several notices had been issued to the contractor to complete works.
Taking serious exception to the contractor dumping construction materials and parking heavy vehicles on the Town Hall premises, Channappa instructed officials to clear them as soon as possible. The contractor drilling a borewell on the premises allegedly without necessary permission also drew flak from members.
‘Clear View of Town Hall’
Channappa ordered MCC Zone-6 assistant commissioner Veena to ensure that the Town Hall is not blocked from Gandhi Square by asking footpath vendors not to hang their materials on the compound wall of the heritage building.
NSG Team Visits Palace
Mysore: A team of National Security Guards (NSG) visited Mysore Palace recently.
The team of commandos, led by Superintendent of Police Amit Tharoor, inspected the security measures put in place for the protection of historic monuments and tourists.
The team videographed the points where security is weak. A detailed report will be submitted to the authorities on the safety measures needed to check anti-social elements, sources said.
The NSG visit assumed importance ahead of Dasara festivities.
When contacted, ACP Channaiah refused to divulge more information about the visit, stating that the team is still inspecting the Palace.