Kochi: Renovated at a cost of Rs 1.44 crore, the Durbar Hall Ground has still not transformed into the art hub that it was supposed to become on acquiring a state of the art open air stage and other facilities.
Former district collector, P.I Sheikh Pareeth, had joined hands with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) to give the ground a makeover in the hope of using it for cultural programmes every weekend besides film festivals and sound and light shows with the support of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
An organising committee of artistes, literary and cultural figures was supposed to hold regular programmes in the grounds with its vast green lawn, a walkway, a parking lot, an open-air stage and huge light towers.
When asked why it was not in use despite the facilities it had to offer , district collector M.G Rajamanickam passed the buck to the DTPC , saying it was finding it difficult to hold the cultural programmes given its financial situation.
“The DTPC does not have the funds it needs to conduct the programmes on a regular basis. The average cost for organising an event is around Rs 20,000. So we need sponsors for them,” he explained.
The district administration’s hope of earning more revenue from renting out the grounds for Rs 50, 000 a day (up from the Rs 15,000 it charged before renovation), has also been dashed as not many are willing to pay this amount.
The only consolation is that the ground has proved to be a welcome lung space in the city, drawing several families that seem to enjoy spending their evenings in its pleasant surroundings.
