prayagraj the construction of a multipurpose cultural complex auditorium of allahabad university being built under the smart city project has started at a new site on the varsity campuslast year defence authorities had stopped the work for lack of noc for building the auditorium behind the ncc building chaitham lines now the auditorium with the seating capacity of 1500 individuals would be constructed at the place besides the department of earth and planetary sciences of the science faculty of au at an estimated cost of rs 47 crorethe ambitious project is being constructed by the prayagraj development authority pda prior to using this land for the construction of this auditorium it housed the gymnasium and squash court both being not in use for several yearsthe fully centralised airconditioned auditorium will have seating arrangement spread over two floors the ground floor will have around 900 seats while the first floor balcony will have 600 seats besides the basement will have the facility of parking for over 250 vehicles along with an open parking for the vvipit will also have an open theatre with the seating capacity of around 300 individuals along with this there will be two conference halls each having a seating capacity of 250 individuals the complex will also have two exhibition hallsthe main stage will be of around 200 sqm and digitally equipped the lighting system too will be matched for normal conferences to theatre and drama performances the sound system side screens displays overhead projectors etc will also be in place in concurrent to other stateofthe art facilities in the complex after completion it will be used for all the government and semigovernment functionsalthough there had been a few roadblocks that hindered the start of the work but now the land has been provided by the au administration and the work has begun it will be completed before maha kumbh 2025 said pda vice arvind chauhan there is ample space for the facility which will be stateoftheart amenity for hosting important events in future he added