14 years on…

Ambedkar Bhavan still awaits completion

Mysuru: Fourteen years have elapsed since work began on the construction of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan on Dewan’s Road, but there is still no clarity on when the grand edifice dedicated to the architect of the Indian Constitution will open its doors.

The building, which has missed several deadlines, continues to be under construction on the plot next to the Devaraja Police Station complex. Work was launched in 2013-14.

The latest deadline of Aug. 15 has also been missed, despite a notice being issued to the contractor to complete the works by the stipulated date. The familiar story of yet another missed deadline has repeated itself.

Earlier, hopes of seeing the Bhavan inaugurated on Ambedkar Jayanti on Apr. 14 this year had also fallen flat. Now, it is anybody’s guess when the Bhavan will see the light of day: A year, two years or even longer. There are no clear answers.

Rs. 43.89 crore spent so far

For the record, Rs. 20.06 crore was spent on the first phase of the Ambedkar Bhavan works. The then Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), now Mysuru Development Authority (MDA), contributed Rs. 10.56 crore, while the Social Welfare Department contributed Rs. 6.5 crore, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Rs. 3 crore and Zilla Panchayat Rs. 50 lakh.

In the second phase, MDA released a grant of Rs. 23.83 crore for various works, including wall panelling, acoustics and false ceiling, road development within the premises, underground drainage (UGD), rainwater harvesting, floor carpeting, stage and interior works, electrification, air-conditioning, sound system, seating for 1,800 people, two lifts and toilets.

Former Mayor R. Purushotham said they were planning to stage another protest shortly as they were fed up with repeated assurances about the inauguration of Ambedkar Bhavan.

“The previous Mysuru District In-charge Minister had assured that the works would be completed by Aug. 15. Now, we are hearing that the works may be completed by December this year. The District In-charge Minister has also been replaced, but the snail’s pace of work continues to disappoint,” he said.