SHILLONG, Nov 19: The much-anticipated multi-crore Arts and Culture centre —Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture (SICPAC) — set to be erected at Mawdiangdiang, New Shillong Township, has apparently encountered a slight setback with the Commissioner and Secretary of Art and Culture Department, FR Kharkongor, on Thursday, informing that the department needs another Rs 23 crore to execute the project.
“The civil work was going on satisfactorily and almost 88-90 per cent of work has been completed. However, there is still a lot of pending work when it comes to its finishing, and we require another Rs 23 crore to meet some ) additional requirements,” said Kharkongor.
Expressing hope that the project will be in a state of readiness when Meghalaya celebrates its golden jubilee, Kharkongor said that this is the most ambitious project of the department and like all other projects, it has also been hit by COVID-19.
“We are trying to ensure that the work is on track, and hopefully by 2022 it should be completed,” he added.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had, on Wednesday, met DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh and requested him to provide additional funds for SICPAC. The project was sanctioned at an amount of Rs 151.33 crore. The SICPAC is expected to serve as an iconic state-of-the-art centre, which will contribute to the development and promotion of the arts and culture of Meghalaya and the entire North East.
