Mangaluru: After the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), this month, awarded major pending works by dividing it into four packages to four contractors, the expectations are that the renovated structure will be inaugurated on Children’s day this year.

According to J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, the hall should be made available for people since then after providing an opportunity for children to perform first.

The hall has been closed for renovation since about a year. The renovation works have missed many deadlines. Earlier B. Ramanath Rai, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada, had set August-end as the deadline and later extended it to October-end.

Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred extended it to November-end. Now, Mr. Lobo has asked the corporation to get it ready for a November 14 inauguration. The civic body took up the renovation as the Town Hall completed its golden jubilee in December, 2014. The hall had been closed for renovation from September, 2014 and the delays are attributed to a number of factors, the not the least of which is a  lack of planning.

According to a corporation official, the contractors were selected by inviting short-term bids. This after, the former commissioner had in a report to the state government, criticized the earlier allotment of work to the Nirmithi Kendra. In October, 2014, the civic body awarded works costing Rs. 99.75 lakh to the Nirmiti Kendra. It included granite flooring of the hall, green room and VIP room and some other interior works.

The latest package works included sound, lighting, false ceiling and acoustic panelling costing Rs. 98 lakh; fixing seats at a cost of Rs. 60 lakh; laying cables and installing a generator at a cost of Rs. 49 lakh; air-conditioning work at a cost of Rs. 48 lakh.

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