The foundation stone of the proposed Biju Patnaik Sanskrutika Bhavan. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, July 16: Construction of the Biju Patnaik Sanskrutika Bhavan at Hillpatna is yet to start though chief minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the complex on January 15, 2004.

The building, apart from functioning as the district culture centre, is supposed to have facilities such as ultra modern auditorium, conference halls, a library and a museum.

“The Berhampur Development Authority had allotted 1.25 acres for it at Hillpatna near the Ganesh temple. The public works department has been entrusted with the job, and we expect construction of the building shortly,” said Ganjam district culture officer Krushna Chandra Nishank.

“A three-storey building will be built for Rs 4.96 crore with an 800-seat capacity auditorium and a dais on the ground floor,” said assistant engineer (Berhampur roads sub division) Priyabrata Samantara.

The chief architect (buildings) has designed of the building and it has been sent to the chief engineer (buildings) three months ago for administrative approval. The building’s estimate has been prepared according to the Ganjam collector’s instruction, Priyabrata said.

Initially, the building’s estimate was earmarked as Rs 1.82 crore. But, inordinate delay has escalated the estimate.

On the delay, Nishank said Idco had been entrusted with the building’s construction since the beginning. But, it disassociated with the job on the plea that the soil was not fit for such construction.

The government then handed over the construction to the works department last year, Nishank said.

“The culture department had sanctioned around Rs 70 lakh to Idco for construction of the Sanskrutika Bhavan. But, we have returned the money. Last month, the culture department sanctioned Rs 1.96 crore to the works department. However, there is no time limit to finish the construction,” he said.