Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren on Monday inspected the under-construction convention centre at Dhurwa, being developed under the Smart City project. The ambitious project, initiated in 2018 by the Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company (JUIDCO) and executed by private firm L&T, was designed as one of the largest convention centres in eastern India with an estimated cost of Rs. 400 crore.
Spread across seven acres, the blueprint included a capacity to seat 5,000 people, along with a 4 lakh square feet double basement designed to accommodate 1,000 vehicles. However, despite its scale and potential, construction came to a halt in 2020 after only 20–25 percent progress had been made.
CM Directs Focus on Utility and State Interest
During his site review, Mr. Soren interacted with officials to understand the current status of the project. He emphasised the need for a practical roadmap to ensure the centre benefits the state. “If design modifications are required, they should be considered, but what matters is that its utility must be maximised for the benefit of the state,” the Chief Minister said.
Officials present included Urban Development Minister Mr. Sudivya Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department Mr. Sunil Kumar (1997-batch IAS officer), Smart City CEO Mr. Suraj Kumar (2013-batch IAS officer), and GM Mr. Rakesh Nandkuliar.
Revival Roadmap in Progress
Urban Development Secretary Mr. Sunil Kumar informed that a revival roadmap for the convention centre is being prepared and will soon be submitted to the Chief Minister for further direction. The revival plan is expected to address not only the design but also strategies to ensure the centre generates economic and social value for Jharkhand once operational.
A Strategic Asset for Jharkhand’s Growth
Once completed, the convention centre could serve as a hub for cultural events, large-scale conferences, trade exhibitions, and state-level programmes. Its strategic location and massive seating capacity make it a potential landmark for Jharkhand, contributing to both economic development and urban infrastructure growth.
