Shillong, Apr 22: Construction of the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture is likely to be completed this year, and at present, 75 per cent of works have been completed.

Minister in-charge Arts and Culture, A. L. Hek on Monday said that 75 per cent of works have been completed, that the government hoped that the remaining works would complete within this year.

According to Hek, once it is completed the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, it will be one of the biggest assets of the state.

The Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture is an international center for performing arts and culture with state of the art facilities.

It is being built at Mawkasiang village at a 40-acre land under the New Shillong Township, about 15 km from the state capital, Shillong.

The project is funded under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources at Rs 136.20 crore and a state share of over Rs 15.13 crore.

“The objective of the centre is to promote rich culture of the indigenous people besides having cultural exchange both at the national as well as international levels,” Hek said.

The project was sanctioned on March 27, 2014, and the contract was awarded on February 25, 2015.

Facilities at the international center for performing arts and culture comprised of a multi-purpose theater with a seating capacity of 1,750, an open air theater with a seating capacity of 15,000, parking space, besides other facilities.

The center will also house an art gallery, tribal museum, banquet hall, office space, media centre, food court, fire fighting and prevention system, effluent treatment ad rain water harvesting systems.

It also has venue for hosting mega cultural events like music, dance, theatre, film festival and other activities that would promote culture and arts particularly those of the Northeastern states by organizing cross cultural exchanges with various states of the country and abroad.