The CM along with Arts and Culture Minister, AL Hek, officials of the department inspected the SICPAC site at Mawkasiang. Engineers from the construction company, Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited (NCCL), briefed the CM and Minister on the project.
Speaking to reporters about the project which was sanctioned on March 27, 2014, Sangma said, “The purpose of the visit is to see the current status of the project to understand the constraints, challenges and how we could move forward to see the project is completed as soon as possible.”
Stating it is an important project for the state, he said it would be beneficial for the state and people where performances would be held.
Sangma said a meeting with the agency implementing the project would be held on Friday. He added investment made was utilize to its maximum.
Asked on the timeframe, he said, “We are working on it. It would not be appropriate for me to say anything as there will be technical meeting tomorrow in my office.”
Spread over 40 acres approximately, the project was sanction on March 27, 2014 and contract was awarded on February 25, 2015 while the target date of completion is fixed at December 31, 2018.
The estimated cost of project is Rs 151.33 crore, with approved support from Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) of Rs 136.20 while the state’s share is Rs 15.13 crore.
The SICPAC will house the multi-purpose theater, the building has an area of 3634 sq.m. with a seating capacity of 1750.
The open air theater’s seating capacity is 15000 numbers which has an approach road of 760 m, parking capacity is 350 and a rain water harvesting system.
Another area of the SICPAC is the black box theater with a built up area of 1744 sq.m, seating capacity is 612. The central block-1st floor has a built up area of 3634 sq.m. The Little Theater has another built up area of 1629 sq.m, with a seating capacity of 325 and also special exhibition space in Mezzanine floor.
Project Management consultant is the Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (a government of India undertaking). The architect is Skematic consultants, Salk Lake City, Kolkata.