Thane, April 3 Maharashtra's largest auditorium will be built in Thane's Ghodbunder Waghbil area, said state transport minister and Shiv Sena MLA from the district, Pratap Sarnaik, on Friday.
The auditorium, to be named 'Tirtharupa Nirupankar Appasaheb Dharmadhikari Natyagriha', will be completed in three years, with the state government having approved a budget of Rs 138 crore, he said.
"The auditorium will have a massive seating capacity of 2,500 spectators. This includes 1,600 seats in the main hall and 450 seats in each of the two balconies. A dedicated section of 12 seats will be reserved specifically for people with disabilities. It will also have separate lifts and specialized toilet facilities for those with disabilities," he said.
The project, which covers an area of 7,300 square metres, will have a stage that is 12 metres higher than the city's iconic 'Gadkari Rangayatan', allowing for elaborate theatrical productions and complex set designs, the minister informed.
Approximately 60 per cent of the premises will be kept open to create a spacious plaza of 2,000 square metres, which can accommodate 2,000 people for live events, street performances, and cultural programmes, Sarnaik added.
"There will be a three-storey parking lot with space for 650 four-wheelers and 300 two-wheelers. To generate revenue for the auditorium, two large banquet halls, each with a capacity of 1,000, will be constructed. A meeting with theatre producers, directors, and artists will be held soon to seek their professional suggestions before the actual work begins," he said.