Barishal Shilpakala Academy: Still unfinished, two years after inauguration

Despite being in the works for five years, the construction of Barishal's divisional and district Shilpakala Academy has not been completed. This is drawing dissatisfaction from the area's cultural activists as this delay is hampering the area's progress in the arts.

The derelict, Pakistan-era structure of the divisional Shilpakala Academy at the city's Band Road had dilapidated beyond use. The area in front of the building had been inundated, with fish, snakes and frogs growing in number.

After repeated demands from citizens of Barishal, the construction project of a new building for district and divisional Shilpakala Academy was approved in 2015 at a cost of Tk 19.86 crore at the same site. Construction began in December of the same year, inaugurated by then Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor.

Although the building was supposed to be fully operational for use by June 2017, the work period has been extended multiple times. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister inaugurated the building on February 6, 2018.

Yet the work has not been completed and the pace remains slow. On December 26 last year, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inspected the site and handed over the work to the contractor on February 28, Shilpakala Academy officials said.

"Terracotta installation, and walls of the open stage; LED curtains of stage; washrooms; installation of fans and air conditioners, furniture placement, installation of elevators, CCTV, thai glass, and arrangement of meeting rooms has been completed. But the building hasn't been painted," said Cultural Officer Hasan Maksud, saying the contractor had yet to complete some of the work.

Deputy Commissioner SM Ajair Rahman said the contractor did not finish the work within the given time frame although they were "asked to complete the little bit of work left."

The project, which includes an auditorium with 500 seats, an open stage, an art gallery later required an increased budget of around Tk 23 core, said project Director Mainur Rahim.

The project director said if the additional work of furnishing is approved along with the added cost, the work can be completed within three months.

Kajal Ghosh, president of Barisal Shangskritik Sangathan Samonnoy Parishad, said, "All events of Mujib Year were supposed to be held at the Shilpakala premises, but the events were postponed due to the pandemic. If postponement didn't happen, there would be a serious problem with the venue for Mujib Borsho programmes."

Olivar Guda, Executive Engineer at Barishal's Public Works Department,

said, "A final Tk 2.5 crore added cost was sent to the ministry for approval. Once approved, the work can be done within three months."

Khorshed Alom, Managing Director of Infinity Engineering LTD which is the contractor of the project, said, "There were revisions to the work and the cost, hence there was a delay. We also have some due bills of Tk 3 crore that we didn't receive yet. Moreover, work slumped due to the pandemic. But we are hopeful about finishing the work once this final budget is approved."