Three consultants to examine auditorium’s sound system
PANAJI
Under fire over alleged sub-standard renovation work of the iconic Kala Academy, the State government has roped in Mumbai-based consultants to examine the auditorium’s sound system (acoustics), lighting and podium (stage) and to recommend necessary modifications or alterations, if needed.
The three consultants – Roger Drego (sound system), Sheetal Talpade (lighting) and Rajan Bhise (podium) – visited Kala Academy for site inspection on March 22 and are expected to submit their report within a months’ time. However, following Sunday fiasco, wherein a Marathi play had to be halted mid-way due to technical glitches in the lighting, the Public Works Department (PWD) – nodal agency – has asked the consultants to submit the report at the earliest.
The extensive renovation and strengthening of Kala Academy was in progress since 2021 before it was thrown open to the public in November 2023. A whopping amount of over Rs 60 crore was spent on the renovation, which is marred with controversies. Thereafter in June, last year, another Rs 10.56 crore was allotted to PWD to undertake further repair work of the renovated structure.
Speaking to The Goan, PWD Assistant Engineer Vallab Pai said that following the recommendations from the Task Force, headed by Vijay Kenkre, the government directed PWD to appoint consultants with expertise in auditorium design and implementation.
“Accordingly, three different consultants were appointed for sound system, lighting and stage. The consultants will be submitting their report with recommendations for necessary alteration/ modifications to be undertaken,” he said.
“Based on their recommendations, the necessary repair works would be taken up in consultation with the government,” Pai added.
The government appointed 12-member Task Force, during their first inspection, had expressed concerns about the sound and air-conditioning. The members had cited several critical areas which required attention.
“The renovated works are not even of a passing standard. There are many problems that we need to sort, such as AC, leakage, sound, and acoustics. We need certain experts to supervise the improvement works taken up by the contractors,” Kenkre had said after the inspection.
On Sunday, State faced major embarrassment after a lighting malfunction interrupted the Marathi play Purush for approximately 15 minutes at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, prompting lead actors Sharad Ponkshe and Spruha Joshi to apologise to the audience during the unexpected pause. The theatre group, which had travelled from Maharashtra, expressed visible frustration over the technical failure.
They urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to personally intervene and take steps to improve the institution’s infrastructure and administration.
The renovation work has been under scanner after a portion collapsed in July 2023. Before that in April, a portion of its false ceiling had collapsed due to incessant rains, which even led to flooding within the auditorium.
A three-member technical committee is examining the alleged “corruption”, “irregularities” and “illegalities” into the same.
Based on two separate complaints, Anti-Corruption bureau (ACB) as well as Vigilance Department in their inquiry had concluded indicating prima facie scam in the entire work.
