New design of Balgandharva auditorium to be finalised next month

New design of Balgandharva auditorium to be finalised next month

Pune: Eight architects made presentations of their designs for the redevelopment plan of city’s well-known and one of the oldest cultural auditorium, Balgandharva Rangmandir, which is owned by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), on Wednesday. The civic body is likely to finalise the design next month.

The corporation has formed a special committee of experts and political leaders to finalise the best design for the auditorium. The civic body received a total of 56 designs and out of that, the committee has scrutinised eight designs. The designs were selected based on the innovation, utility of the building, uniqueness of the designs, the cost for the project and green building norms.

Executive Engineer of PMC’s Building Department Shivaji Lanke said, “Eight architects made presentations before the committee members. Now, the committee has the task to finalise one design out of them. The decision will be taken in next month. Most of the designs were a modern one.” The brainchild of noted humourist Pu La Deshpande, the auditorium is the centre of cultural activity. It is located at JM Road, the hall has staged numerous functions and plays in the last 50 years after it was inaugurated in 1968.

The redevelopment project was announced during the 2018-19 civic budget presentation. Cultural groups in the city had raised an objection with the fear that space will be utilised for purposes other than culture and art. After that, the corporation formed a committee of experts and political party leaders to take a final call on the redevelopment of the auditorium. Corporation has made provision of Rs 10 crore in the 2018-19 budget.

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