KOZHIKODE: Despite two years since its inauguration, the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Cultural Centre at Anakkulam is yet to gain momentum as programme bookings are yet to pick up. The complex was built at a cost of Rs 5.5 core and was opened for public on May 31, 2015. However for more than one year, the Centre remained idle with repair works pending and even after two years, it didn’t host any major programmes or function except few drama camps.
It was during the last council meeting that the Corporation fixed the bylaw, timing and regulations for the use of the Centre.
It is learnt that the building still has some pending repair works to be done. The building was opened for the public in hasty inaugural function with basic facilities incomplete. There were accusations that the inauguration was done for electoral benefits and was boycotted by the Opposition including the ward councillor. The Centre , meant for staging drama and related activities, faced criticism from theatre activists and connoisseurs who opined stages set at the complex are congested and seating arrangements are in such a way that the top seated people could see only the head portion of the artistes on stage.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Corporation Health Standing Committee Chairman K.V. Baburaj opined that that hosting a major event in the Centre would help the Corporation to get more bookings. “At present for some reasons, we are not getting enough bookings. May be the people are not aware of such a building,” he said. The Cultural Centre is located at the Aravind Ghosh Road and is walkable distance from Town Hall and Art Gallery, across the Railway track.
