Pune: Redevelopment of Balgandharva auditorium remains on paper, around six years after it was announced. “PMC has received several proposals in this regard. But due to opposition from a section of elected members and artists, the proposal has been kept on hold,” said a senior official of PMC’s establishment department. The redevelopment of Balgandharva auditorium was announced during 2018-19 civic budget but has faced opposition since. Artists, social organisations, and political parties have opposed the project, claiming that public involvement has been minimal in the designing, planning, and redevelopment of the auditorium. The civic administration organised a competition to finalise the design. A total of 56 designers evinced interest in rebuilding the auditorium. Designs from 26 of them reached PMC, and eight were selected for the final presentation. Located on JM Road, in the heart of the city, the auditorium is one of the most popular destinations for artists. Numerous functions have been staged at the auditorium since it was inaugurated in 1968. Talks regarding redevelopment of the auditorium started doing the rounds on Tuesday after a part of the false ceiling at the auditorium’s art gallery collapsed. “The city is known as the cultural capital of the state. The facilities here must be of top quality. But the administration is not making any effort in this regard,” said Swapnil Naik, an activist. “The auditorium has faced issues pertaining to sanitation, parking etc. The administration should streamline the tendering process to provide these facilities without any hindrances in future,” said Samir Hampi, an organiser of events and dramas at Balgandharva. “It is a time-taking process to find options to existing facilities at Balgandharva. The administration will have to work on other aspects like a detailed project report, actual cost of shifting, and funding. The discussions on the same are underway,” said Rohidas Gavhane, head of PMC’s establishment department.
