The site earmarked for construction of the proposed art gallery in Cuttack. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone (in picture) for the project on August 31, 2011. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Dec. 26: The art gallery project of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation is yet to take off here.

The delay in construction of the proposed project has led to resentment among different quarters that have blamed the civic body for its dilly-dallying attitude.

Official sources said the construction of the art gallery near the Town Hall in the city was yet to begin as the project was still stuck in tender stage.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the project on the occasion of Local Self-Governance Day on August 31 last year.

A civic body official, on the other hand, said efforts were on to complete the tender process at the earliest.

“We had earlier called a tender for the art gallery project, but no applications were received. We then sought the government’s intervention as there was a single tender when expression of interest was sought for the project second time,” said executive engineer of the corporation Lalita Mohan Das.

Das said necessary groundwork, including finalisation of the design for the three-storey gallery, had been over.

“We hope that the gallery construction would begin shortly after fresh tenders are invited for the project within a couple of days,” Das said.

The gallery is required to develop and preserve art and encourage local artists, who are not getting adequate scope to display their talent.

“The art gallery is essential as there is not a single place where one can find rare photographs or paintings of eminent personalities of state and the rich historical background of Cuttack displayed,” said Subrat Das, a local resident.

Sources said the project cost had been estimated at Rs 90 lakh, including Rs 67 lakh for the construction of the building and other civil works.

“The gallery definitely is needed for the art lovers in the city. But, the place, identified for the project, is not at all suitable from an artist’s point of view. Hence, the corporation should initiate proper measures to shift it,” said cartoonist Shilpi Ashok.