JOY ROY CHOUDHURY – Kolkata
Kolkata would soon get an international class convention centre. The Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), a state run body under the Department of Urban Development would be setting up this convention centre, which will have multiple auditoriums of different sizes.
Sources indicate that HIDCO has already chalked out the plans for setting up the mega convention centre which would host nearly 3,000 pax. According to highly placed sources, the construction would be completed within one and half years and is likely to start soon. It will be coming up at Action Area 1 of New Town over 10 acres of land.
Officials indicate that the project planning, drawing and architecture has been influenced by the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi but has many unique aspects. “Currently, there is an urgent need for a convention centre of international standards in the city which could host a large number of national and international delegates and have state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, as Kolkata is slowly emerging as an important MICE destination. The upcoming convention centre will serve this need,” said the HIDCO official.
Besides, the main auditorium and smaller halls in the proposed convention centre at New Town, there would be a VIP lounge, office block for on-site offices, secretariat and a documentation centre, a studio, a business centre, exhibition hall and media centre.
