The first impression one gets is of lots of space and light, inside and outside the centre, thanks to its glass walls and greenery all around.
Navi Mumbai : Mumbai has the NCPA and the expo grounds at NSE, Goregaon. Navi Mumbai has combined both of them in its Vashi convention centre.
Situated along the Sion-Panvel highway, not far from Vashi station, it was to be opened by the CM on Monday but the inauguration was postponed at the last moment.
The convention centre is far more beautiful than the NCPA. The NSE was always drab as it is just industrial sheds converted into an exhibition centre.
The first impression one gets is of lots of space and light, inside and outside the centre, thanks to its glass walls and greenery all around. The centre is spread over 18.50 acres, just 2.5 acres smaller than the Oval Maidan. It can suffice for seven full-sized football fields.
In Mumbai, one can only dream of such projects sandwiched between a highway and a railway station. In fact, Sector 30 A, where the centre is situated hosts three malls, two five-star hotels, several IT parks and the guest houses of several states.
Built by the CIDCO at a cost of Rs 240 crore, it has two large exhibition halls (approx 5,000 sq m), sub-divisible for smaller events and functions with ancillary facilities, meeting rooms, cafes, lounges, food court etc. The central hall between two blocks can be used as exhibition space or special occasion area. A public hall (approx 2,600 sq m) on the first floor is another feature.
Its auditorium has a seating capacity of 600, with conference centres, open plazas, banquet, rehearsal halls and an amphitheatre. In addition, there are public plazas at multiple levels and an open-air bridge connecting the exhibition and business centres. Parking provision has been made for 450 cars.
The contract was awarded in January 2009 and it was expected to be ready by 2012. The centre has been ready for the past one year and only interior work and air-conditioning was being done.
