Nagpur: From electronic voting consoles and smart microphone systems to murals celebrating Nagpur’s history, the new town hall — named Shrimant Raje Raghuji Rao Bhonsle Sabhagruha — is emerging as more than just a municipal headquarters.With plans for a 215-member corporators’ hall — substantially larger than the current strength of 151 elected and 10 nominated corporators — civic officials are working on a blueprint that blends modern governance infrastructure with the city’s cultural heritage before the project enters its final phase.The vision took shape during a recent review meeting convened by municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, where officials deliberated on technological and aesthetic upgrades that could be incorporated into the Town Hall while construction is still underway. The exercise follows Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s inspection of the project and a subsequent visit by a delegation of civic officials, including mayor Neeta Thakre, to New Delhi’s Central Vista to study the facilities and design concepts.Senior officials told TOI that the meeting aimed at identifying features that should be integrated at the construction stage rather than being added later through expensive modifications. To facilitate the process, experts involved in the modernisation of Nagpur’s Vidhan Bhavan were invited to share their experience and suggest suitable changes.A major focus of the discussions was on technology-driven governance. Officials examined proposals for advanced microphone systems, electronic voting facilities, digital communication infrastructure, improved acoustics, and smart controls for conducting proceedings. Features such as push-button speaker management systems are being considered to streamline debates and discussions in the Town Hall.While advanced display systems, digital screens, and other modern interfaces are considered desirable, officials acknowledged that financial constraints could limit immediate implementation. Some of these features may therefore be incorporated at a later stage depending on the availability of funds. The project has already received administrative approval of Rs125.72 crore, leaving little room for major additions without separate approvals. Beyond technology, the meeting also explored ways to give the building a distinct cultural identity. Officials discussed transforming passageways and blank walls within the Town Hall into curated cultural galleries showcasing Nagpur’s heritage and Maharashtra’s artistic traditions.The state’s art and culture department is likely to be involved in the next round of discussions. Among the proposals under consideration is the installation of murals and visual narratives depicting the legacy of Shrimant Raje Raghuji Rao Bhonsle, after whom the Town Hall is named.
