Nagpur: The Second Capital City of Nagpur added a glorious feather on its cap when the President of India Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the majestic Kavi Suresh Bhat Auditorium at a glittering function on September 22, 2017. But now a pertinent aspect seems to be gripping the minds of all and sundry. The rent of the luxurious auditorium. At a time when citizens are curious over the rent factor the bosses of Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the owner of the hall, have been found squirming over expectations. The NMC only expects to at least maintain the architectural marvel out of the rent amount it has not still fixed.
It is learnt that NMC is mulling the minimum rent for amateurish artists and their presentations and an extra rate for the commercial ventures. A proposal to recover maximum from the institutionalised and political programmes would not come as surprise. The Standing Committee of NMC seems to be playing it safe and making efforts to toe the line of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The Standing Committee is reeling under pressure to fix the rent of Kavi Suresh Bhat Auditorium in such proportions that will see boost the cultural movement of city rather than the “pleas all” rate. In the meeting to be held next month the Committee is likely to ponder over the fixation of rent. Gadkari’s demand that the rent of the hall should be fixed at minimum of Rs 5000 has raised the blood pressure of ruling party office-bearers. To maintain beauty of the Rs 73 crore Auditorium is a herculean task. Rent should be fixed keeping that aspect in mind.
The civic body has already started receiving requests from patrons for bookings due to its seating capacity of 2,000 people, state-of-the-art facilities, sprawling parking and “affordable rates”. If NMC sources are to be believed, the rates of the auditorium for cultural, art and educational events are likely to be around Rs 11,000-20,000 for three hours. Rates for commercial conferences and events will be around Rs 50,000. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has suggested the NMC to keep Rs 5,000 for cultural, art and educational events but not possible for operation and maintenance cost.
