SHILLONG, Feb 23: Work on the much-awaited Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture (SICPAC) at Mawdiangdiang is nearing completion.
Officials from the state government on Tuesday informed that more than 90 per cent of the construction work has been completed.
The government is hence optimistic that the one-of-its-kind centre for holding different events in the state will be completed by 2022 when Meghalaya celebrates its golden jubilee.
The overall structural work of the centre is likely to be completed within this quarter while lighting, acoustics and other furnishing work will take more time. However, the state government still needs another Rs 23 crore for completion of the project even as the state government has already approached the DoNER ministry for the additional funds.
The project, funded under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), was sanctioned at an amount of Rs 151.33 crore.
However, since the sanctioned amount did not cover the requirement of high-quality audio-visual equipment, the state government had requested a sanction of Rs 22.85 crore from the ministry of tribal affairs and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
SICPAC is expected to serve as an iconic state-of-the-art centre, which will contribute to the development and promotion of art and culture of not only Meghalaya but the entire Northeastern region.
The centre will have an open-air amphitheatre, performance space, banquet halls, international guest houses and an international convention centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
The centre will also house a training facility offering skill development courses in music, arts, films, television and multimedia for the youth of Meghalaya and other Northeastern states besides a museum showcasing arts and crafts of the region.
