The International Buddhist Sangha Conference to be held early next year has become a bone of contention for Parshwanth Developers Limited, the contractor for Buddha Smriti Park development project.

The shrine, a dream project of chief minister Nitish Kumar, was supposed to be completed by the end of 2010. The museum block, multi-level parking and landscaping measures among other works are yet to be completed.

Sources said Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) recently confiscated the bank deposit of the company against the mobilisation and directed the firm to complete the park project by November this year.

“PDL has claimed that it will complete all civil works in the park project by the end of October. The art, culture and youth affairs department, which is looking after the development of museum block has also finalised the concept design for the museum and the corresponding works is also expected to start within a couple of days,” a senior official of BUIDCo said.

The official said: “We have selected Calcutta-based Premier World for sound, light and laser shows and they are expected to be completed by November-end. A 12-feet statue of Lord Buddha in Bhoomisparsh Mudra would also be installed in a couple of weeks.”

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, leaders, lamas and scholars among many others would gather at the Buddhist conference, to be held at Buddha Smriti Park.

The state art, culture and youth affairs department in association with BUIDCo will organise the three-day event, which starts on January 5.

“The conference to be held at Buddha Smriti Park will be inaugurated by the Dalai Lama,” Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, the executive director of Bihar Heritage Development Society, department of art, culture and youth affairs said.