New deadline for Curchorem Ravindra Bhavan

Margao: The much-anticipated phase II extension of Ravindra Bhavan in Curchorem is likely to be completed by Sep 31, the latest timeline set by the department of art and culture for completing all pending works.Official records reveal that while the amphitheatre and mini auditorium are structurally complete, interior works remain pending, preventing their immediate use. The project was plagued by multiple setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on manpower and material supply, design changes to the tensile fabric roof system for better structural stability, and contractor-related issues.Most significantly, the interior and allied works contractor was terminated in Dec 2023 due to poor performance, necessitating a fresh tendering process.Financial data reveals that the project’s total cost escalated to Rs 27 crore, with Rs 24 crore already disbursed to contractors. The main civil, electrical, and firefighting works component, valued at Rs 20 crore, is 95% complete. However, interior works, originally worth over Rs 20 crore, remain only 50% finished under the new contractor arrangement.The audio-video systems installation is significantly behind schedule at just 30% completion, and doubts persist over its completion before the Sep 31 deadline. Notably, while major infrastructure components like CCTV systems and electrical metering are fully completed, the project’s core entertainment facilities remain incomplete. The Rs 1.2 crore audio-video component has seen only Rs 75 lakh in payments, indicating substantial pending work that could further delay the project’s operational readiness.The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation is overseeing the project through appointed project management consultants.