A sprawling convention complex, measuring about 1.95 lakh sq. ft., will soon come up on the Omandurar Government Estate here.
Estimated to cost around Rs. 61 crore, the complex, which has three floors above the ground floor, is expected to be ready in 18 months, according to an official. On Monday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, through video-conferencing, laid the foundation stone for the new facility. This follows the Chief Minister’s announcement in the Assembly in April 2012 that a huge ‘Kalai Arangam’ would be built at the site that once housed the Kalaivanar Arangam.
On the first floor, the centre will have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 600, a VVIP lobby, dining place and food court besides four escalators. Another auditorium of the same capacity will be constructed on the second floor along with a convention hall with a seating capacity of 115, suites, rooms for entertainment, editing and dubbing and an information centre.
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A multi-purpose hall capable of accommodating 1,000 persons will be built on the third floor. Another convention hall with a seating capacity of 115 and a modern canteen will also come up. On the ground floor, there will be a VIP lounge apart from a room for the public relations officer. Besides, a 10,000 sq. ft. State Information Centre will be built at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
Senior ministers and government officials were present when the Chief Minister formally inaugurated work on the complex.