Bidhannagar Civic Body Constructs Rabindra Bhavan Using Mela Utsav Funds
The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is making steady progress on the Rabindra Bhavan project in Salt Lake. Civic authorities are using funds collected from the yearly Bidhannagar Mela Utsav to finance the construction.
Current Construction Status
Workers have completed the ground floor structure. They are now actively constructing the first floor of the six-storey building. The BMC has utilised approximately Rs 10.9 crore from the Mela Utsav revenue for this phase of the project.
The total estimated cost for the entire Rabindra Bhavan is Rs 41.9 crore. This dedicated Tagore research centre will stand as a cultural landmark in Salt Lake.
Breakdown of Expenditure
Civic officials provided details about how they spent the collected funds. They allocated Rs 7.2 crore for piling work and setting up the building's base. The ground floor construction consumed a significant portion of this amount.
For the ongoing first-floor construction, authorities plan to spend Rs 3.6 crore. This brings the total expenditure from Mela Utsav funds to Rs 10.9 crore so far.
BMC mayor Krishna Chakraborty confirmed the progress. "Work to set up the first floor of the Rabindra Bhavan building is going on with nearly Rs 10.9 crore in funds that were generated," she said. "The rest of the floors of the building would be set up soon."
Project Background and Features
Authorities conceptualised the Rabindra Bhavan project many years ago. Actual construction work finally began earlier this year. The building occupies a 36-cottah plot in Salt Lake FE Block, directly opposite Central Park.
The six-storey structure will house numerous facilities dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore:
- An archive and exhibition space for Tagore's works
- Multiple art galleries showcasing Tagore-inspired art
- A fully equipped auditorium for staging Tagore's plays and musical performances
- A comprehensive library displaying Tagore's literary works
- Conference rooms and seminar halls for academic discussions
- Dedicated research rooms for scholars studying Tagore's legacy
Workers have already installed a statue of Tagore at the front portion of the project site. This statue welcomes visitors to what will become a major cultural and research hub.
The Rabindra Bhavan represents a significant investment in Kolkata's cultural infrastructure. By using revenue from the popular Bidhannagar Mela Utsav, the BMC demonstrates innovative municipal financing. Residents can look forward to a world-class facility celebrating Bengal's most celebrated literary figure.
