The Hindu 14.12.2010
Delhi gets a new convention centre
Staff Reporter
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Has facilities including projection and sound system, main auditorium |
‘NDMC should use the centre for social events also’
‘Represents a rare blend of modernity and heritage’
Photo: S. Subramanium
Landmark:Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit at the inauguration of the New Delhi City Centre on
Monday.
NEW DELHI: A swank new convention centre fashioned on the lines of
Vigyan Bhavan and constructed by the New Delhi Municipal Council was
unveiled at the New Delhi City Centre Complex by Union Home Minister P.
Chidambaram in the presence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday.
The centre boasts of state-of-the-art facilities including modern
high definition projection and sound system, a main auditorium, six
conference halls, a cafeteria and central air-conditioning.
After inaugurating the centre, Mr. Chidambaram stated that the NDMC
should use this convention centre not only for government meetings and
functions but also for social events such as cultural programmes, plays
and exhibitions. “The city, citizen and civic sense are related to each
other and each has their respective responsibilities for making a better
society. It is the general duty of the NDMC to set an example of better
urbanisation with good governance,” he added.
Ms. Dikshit said that the convention centre was the last part of New
Delhi City Centre and now this centre would become an iconic building
complex in the heart of city where citizens of Delhi would be able to
showcase their cultural or social activities.
According to NDMC Secretary Santosh D. Vaidya, the scheme for
construction of New Delhi City Centre was approved in 1969 and the
design was chosen after an all-India architectural competition was held.
The scheme was envisaged to be taken up in two phases. In the first
phase, a 20-storey building block was proposed and in the second phase
two blocks comprising a multi-storeyed block, auditorium, art gallery
and library were planned. The work on the first phase was completed in
1981 and it was popularly known as the Palika Kendra which currently
houses the headquarters of the NDMC. The 10-storey complex adjacent to
the convention centre was completed in 2008.
According to Mr. Vaidya, the convention centre represents a “rare
blend of modernity and heritage”: “From the outside the building façade
and curves resonate the architecture of Jantar Mantar. Inside, the
building houses a modern auditorium with a seating capacity of
approximately 300 persons, six conferencing halls of various capacities,
a business centre and a cafeteria. Since the centre is located in the
heart of the city it would certainly add to the profile of the New Delhi
area. This new building complex represents an edifice undergoing
continuous growth and marks an important milestone in the history of the
civic body.”
NDMC vice-chairperson Tajdar Babar and members Karan Singh Tanwar and Mukesh Bhatt were among those present on this occasion.