Come winter 2017, Delhi 6 could have its own cultural hub, with the government now starting work on transforming a neglected amphitheatre that had become a den for drug addicts into a performance space.
An amphitheatre on the premises of a night shelter run by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board on Shanker Gali in Old Delhi would be renovated and re-claimed, as per instructions by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Along with DUSIB officials, Mr. Sisodia inspected the site on Wednesday.
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Cultural activities
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Bipin Rai, DUSIB Member (expert), said that Mr. Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s Art and Culture Minister, had asked DUSIB officials to come up with a proposal to convert the space into a cultural centre.
“The aim of the project will be to transform the space so that residents in the area can enjoy cultural activities there. We hope to have it ready by the winter. The Deputy CM has asked for the proposal as soon as possible,” said Mr. Rai.
In addition to the amphitheatre, one floor of the building, which has the night shelter on the top floor, could be used by the Urdu Academy and Punjabi Academy to house libraries, said Mr. Rai.
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He added that apart from music, dance and drama performances, the amphitheatre could be used to screen films for locals. Apart from strengthening the exterior wall and installing new lights, the plan would include short and long-term measures to make better use of the space.
Law & order problems
Currently, the space is being used as a dumping ground by locals and as a spot for drug and alcohol addicts to congregate. As reported in The Hindu on Wednesday, locals had been complaining about the law and order challenges around the complex.
Mr. Rai said that this was also addressed during a meeting of DUSIB officials and Mr. Sisodia following the inspection. He said with the involvement of locals and regular events at the amphitheatre, the security aspect would also be addressed.