Funds crunch halts renovation work

HUBBALLI: The renovation work on Sawai Gandharva Hall (SGH) is stopped midway due to paucity of funds. The hall is in for renovation at a cost of Rs 6 crore, of which the government has released Rs 1.75 crore (in first phase).
The completion of the work remains elusive even when the work went on for two years. The work should have been completed within 6-8 months after it started.So far, the following works have been completed using the available funds: clearing of weak parts of the building, extension of a portion in the rear side of the building, construction of a wall in Gimkhana ground side, replacing of old roof sheets with new ones, and electrical works.
The remaining works, like construction of toilets and staff quarters, installation of ACs, seating and sound and light systems are still pending due to want of funds. The designing of the front portion of the hall has also not been done yet. Nirmiti Kendra is the nodal agency for the renovation work.
Because of the delay in the completion of renovation work, many cultural events had banked on other venues over the last three years. Artistes aspiring to perform at SGH are left disappointed too.
Manoj Hangal, president of Dr Gangubai Hangal Sangeet Prathisthan, said the hall was built unscientifically - it did not have an entrance in the backside for artistes. "We had given some suggestions through an artists' committee before the work began. But the district administration has thrown the suggestions to wind. The authorities have also neglected senior artistes from Hubballi art circle over the issue," he said, adding: "The government should release adequate funds for its renovation, and the district administration should renovate the facility and make it artiste-friendly. ACs, which are costly, can be done away with."
Surendrakumar, project manager of Nirmiti Kendra, said that they have utilized Rs 1.75 crore released for the work in the first phase. "We are waiting for funds now, and we are sure of completing the work once the funds are released," he added.
The action plan was prepared 4 years ago, and the estimate was done accordingly. "But it should be revised now as the cost of materials has increased. I have got an information from the government on the release of Rs 1.75 crore. We will prepare an action plan soon," he claimed.