Eastern India’s largest indoor facility set to come up at Science City, boost Kolkata’s MICE footfall

KOLKATA: The city is set to witness a significant boost in its ‘Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE)’ capacity with the proposed development of a state-of-the-art modular exposition-cum-conference facility at Science City.The project, estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore, aims to transform the fairground at Science City into the largest indoor facility in eastern India, capable of accommodating over 5,000 people.

Together with the two existing auditoriums at Science City, it will boost capacity to around 8,000.At present, Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, the single largest venue, can accommodate around 4,000 people.

Currently, Science City’s main auditorium can host 2,232 attendees, with a stage that supports up to 100 performers. There is an adjoining mini-auditorium that can seat 400 guests.The new centre promises to be twice this capacity, offering a versatile space that can be adapted for various events.“The ground that we have is booked for three winters by organisers of fairs and expositions. But other than these 120 days, its utilisation is poor due to the heat and rain.

Once it becomes an indoor facility, we expect bookings all year round,” said A D Choudhury, director-general of National Council of Science Museums, of which Science City is a constituent unit.This is crucial for generating enough funds for the upkeep and modernisation of Science City.At present, Science City requires around Rs 20 crore a year.While the science centre has a footfall of around 16 lakh a year, conventions, exhibitions and trade fairs attract around 7 lakh a year.Work has started on the preparation of a detailed project report that will be ready by the middle of next year. “The brief is to create a permanent indoor exposition space in a modular structure so that it can be split for multiple events or joined to hold a mega event,” said Choudhury.“The proposed auditorium will feature a sprawling floorspace of approximately 3 lakh square feet, designed to host a wide range of events, from large conventions to intimate gatherings.

This flexibility is expected to attract a diverse array of national and international events, significantly enhancing Kolkata’s profile as a premier MICE destination,” said Science City director Pramod Grover.In addition to the auditorium, plans are underway to expand Science City’s parking facilities, increasing its capacity from 500 to at least 1,000 vehicles. This development is crucial to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors and ensure a seamless experience for event attendees.By providing a modern, adaptable venue, the new auditorium is poised to elevate the city’s status in the MICE industry, drawing more business and cultural events to the region.As the proposal progresses, stakeholders and residents alike are eager to see how this development will reshape Kolkata’s event-hosting capabilities, promising a vibrant future for the city’s MICE sector.