The Hindu 19.08.2010
Madikeri CMC to shift to new office complex
Staff Correspondent
| The new hall will be able to accommodate 800 to 1,000 people |
Funds from Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns project used for construction
The present building is located on around 60 cents of land
Grand:A view of the CMC building (Town Hall) in Madikeri that will be demolished soon.
Madikeri: The Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC) has planned to demolish the present building it occupies and move into a modern hall with a capacity to accommodate 800 to 1,000 people, according to CMC authorities.
All offices of the CMC will be shifted to the new office complex, which lies next to the present building and is nearing completion.
The new building is being constructed with funds from the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) project.
Controversies
Controversies have marred the venture since the construction began, especially the delay in completion of the project.
The president of the CMC, P.D. Ponnappa, told The Hindu that Rs. 2 crore, which was set apart from the Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Towns Development Project for the construction of the private bus-stand in the city, would be diverted for the construction of the hall.
Additional funds would be mobilised from other sources. Funds could be diverted as the CMC board meeting has finalised a plan to hand over construction of the private bus-stand to a private firm, Mr. Ponnappa said.
A plan and blueprint of the new building would be prepared in a few days and submitted to the Department of Municipal Affairs to seek permission. The new building would have a basement to facilitate parking of vehicles, apart from the hall. A balcony would also be planned to accommodate more people. This should become a landmark location for anyone to conduct public functions, Mr. Ponnappa added.
