Durbar Hall Grounds is all set to miss its date with Onam this year. Even while the entire city will be busy with cultural nights, Onam shopping festivals, exhibitions, food fests and processions, the Durbar Hall Grounds, usually the star venue for all these celebrations, will be lying amidst brick and mortar. The renovation work for its open-air theatre at the ground is in progress. As a part of this the grass has been removed.
Though the project was set to begin after Onam last year as per the announcement of the Tourism Minister, owing to procedural delays and sanctions, the project got postponed.
“All the procedures had to be taken care of since we are looking at changing the whole structure of the open air theatre. Moreover, we also had to get the funds sanctioned,” said MLA Hibi Eden. According to the officials of the Nirmiti Kendra, the renovation will take about three months more.
“The grass at the Durbar Hall ground has become very dry and it has to be replaced. There is also an issue of water-logging. So we will have to raise the grounds by about one feet and provide proper drainage and pipes. This will take about two months. But we are doing the work at a very fast pace as per the orders of the Collector,” said Nirmiti Kendra project director P J George.
Meanwhile, the district administration is looking at the Maharaja’s College Auditorium as an alternative venue for Onam celebrations. Marine Drive, as usual, will also host a number of celebrations.
“Since the Durbar Hall will not be available we are going for Maharaja’s College auditorium. Marine Drive will host the food fests and other celebrations. We might also be able to put up some temporary stage-like structure at the Durbar Hall grounds,” said District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth.
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