New skyline in 15 years

“The work is in the final stage and we have invited chief minister Prithviraj Chavan for opening the Kalamandir and Sayaji Gaikwad commercial complex,that is on the same premises,” Gaikwad said.

The delay was caused by a dispute between the police and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as the police claimed that PMC constructed the auditorium on land which was under police department possession.

The layout of the project was sanctioned in June 2002. However,a dispute arose over the stage of the cultural hall as the then DIG,claimed that part of the land was in possession of police. The dispute was settled in 2006 when the PMC land acquisition department offered to allot another plot against the land used for auditorium.

After this proposal was agreed upon by both the parties,the work on the cultural hall resumed.

The auditorium,designed by architect Avinash Pundlik has a capacity of 650 seats with stage size of 12 metres by 9 metres. It will have one of the best acoustic treatments,designed in accordance with Mumbai’s NCPA and Shanmukhananda hall under the directions of acoustic engineer Dr Raj Gopal. The hall is designed with topnotch and sophisticated amenities with more inclination for music performances. The emphasis is more towards a modern design with detailed study to provide for green rooms,property holding rooms,elevators for musicians and senior citizens and ramps in place for the handicapped.