Balurghat, Sept. 8 -- Gangarampur's Rabindra Bhavan auditorium in South Dinajpur district, which has remained in a dilapidated condition for years, is set for a major facelift following the Chief Minister's directive to renovate the facility. The Gangarampur municipality has submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth around Rs 10 crore to the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department.

According to municipal sources, renovation work will begin after the project receives departmental approval.

The proposed revamp includes repairing the auditorium roof, installing modern audience seats, upgrading the stage and introducing an advanced sound system, central air-conditioning and modern lighting.

Built in 2008 at the initiative of the then Dakshin Dinajpur Zilla Parishad, the 500-seat auditorium was later handed over to the Gangarampur municipality.

It has since served as an important venue for cultural programmes, government events and political meetings.

However, the auditorium has deteriorated significantly due to a lack of proper renovation for over a decade. Residents said rainwater leaks through the roof during the monsoon, while parts of the stage have been damaged. The audience seats are also in poor condition and the air-conditioning system has remained non-functional. Organisers have further faced difficulties due to outdated lighting and sound facilities.

Locals have also criticised earlier renovation proposals, alleging that DPRs worth Rs 300 crore and Rs 500 crore were prepared at different times over the past 15 years but failed to bring

substantial changes.

An official of the Gangarampur municipality's administrative board said: "The infrastructure of Rabindra Bhavan is in a very poor condition. A DPR worth around Rs 10 crore has been sent to the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department. There is a plan to modernise the auditorium in several phases. The Chief Minister has directed its renovation. Work will begin soon after approval is received."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.