Madikeri: The old town hall building on the premises of Madikeri city municipal council office will be dismantled, and the new art and cultural theatre will be constructed.The groundwork was launched by Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda Thursday. He instructed the officers concerned to maintain quality work and said Rs 9.5 crore will be spent on the project.He said that due to the parking problem in the central business district, the new town hall will have a spacious parking lot for parking of vehicles. The project requires an additional Rs 7.5 crore, which, he assured, the govt will extend.BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa asked that cleanliness be maintained on the premises.Former MLA MP Appachu Ranjan said everyone should seek additional grants to complete the work.Former minister MC Nanaiah said that the Madikeri civic body is facing an 80% staff shortage, which is hindering development work. District Guarantee Implementation Committee president Dharmaja Uthappa, CMC commissioner HR Ramesh, CMC president Kalavathi, Karnataka Sports Authority vice-president Arun Machaiah and MUDA president Rajesh Yellappa were present.
