Bhubaneswar, 12 May (H.S.): Suryabanshi Suraj on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the under-construction Kalamandal project near Sainik School in Bhubaneswar and directed officials to expedite the work for its early completion.

A review meeting on the progress of the prestigious cultural infrastructure project was held under the chairmanship of the Culture Minister. Earlier in the day, Suraj visited the project site and inspected the ongoing construction work. He instructed officials of IDCO to accelerate the pace of work while maintaining quality standards.

Being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 173 crore, the Kalamandal complex will feature a state-of-the-art 2,000-seat auditorium and a 500-seat open-air theatre. The minister directed officials of the Culture Department and IDCO to conduct regular review meetings to ensure the quality and timely completion of the project.

He also emphasized the importance of fire safety measures, illumination, audio-visual facilities, and installation of advanced video wall and LED systems at the complex.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Suraj said the construction work of Kalamandal would be completed at the earliest. He stated that the project is being executed in coordination with the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department and IDCO, taking into account suggestions from eminent personalities associated with the field of art and culture.

The minister further said that after completion, the Kalamandal complex would be formally inaugurated. He described the upcoming auditorium and open-air theatre as the largest cultural infrastructure facility in the state, which would provide a new identity to Odisha’s cultural heritage and help showcase Odia art and culture at the global level.

The review meeting was attended by Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, IDCO Managing Director Dr. D. Prashant Kumar Reddy, and other senior officials.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda