ACKNOWLEDGING efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Friday said that Madhya Pradesh is the first state that received first tranche of Central grant from recently passed Union Budget. This grant of more than Rs 100 crore will be used in at a fast pace to construct a new international convention center which is an annexe to the existing Kushabhau Convention Center in Bhopal. “We have performed bhoomipujan of the building to realise the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The existing convention was completed in 27 years during 1909 and 1936 but the new convention center must be completed in maximum two years, and the architect of the building must sync with the existing building of historic period, he urged the officers present on the occasion. “This convention center will provide podium and other facilities not only to Global Investors Summit but other conventions of international level,” Dr Mohan Yadav said who was also the Chairman of MP Tourism Corporation during the period 2010-2014.

 

The corporation, an arm of the State Tourism Department, is prime entity to construct the new convention center. The convention center promises to be a state-of-the-art facility, boasting an auditorium with a seating capacity for over 2,000 people, along with lodging and boarding accommodations, Sheoshekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, State Tourism Department, said. “It will also have accommodation facility for very important persons like Prime Minister, President and other similar dignitaries. This convention center will have 5 suites too,” he said. The convention centre will also have dining facility for at least 4,000 persons.

 

It will be completed by the year 2026. The Centre will also feature a media hub, business center, range of restaurants, dining halls, galleries, banquet spaces, exhibition halls, and all the essential amenities needed for a world-class convention venue. This project aims to position Bhopal as a premier destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. Back in 2022, the Union Tourism Ministry introduced the National Strategy for MICE Industry to position India as a preferred spot for hosting conventions, meetings, and exhibitions by both domestic and international businesses. Madhya Pradesh has an international convention center in Indore named as Brilliant Convention Center. Currently, Minto Hall, now known as Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Center, can accommodate only 800 people and features a restaurant but lacks delegate accommodation. Minto hall was constructed with an investment of Rs 3 lakh then. BJP State President V D Sharma, Industry Minister Chaitanya Kashyap, Bhopal Municipal Corporation Chairman Kishan Suryawanshi were present on the occasion.