In a landmark step for Mangaluru’s cultural landscape, the long-proposed Rangamandira (auditorium) at Bondel has received technical approval from the Directorate of Municipal Administration, allowing the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to initiate construction tenders.
The order, forwarded to both the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and MCC, represents a major milestone in fulfilling a 35-year-old demand for a dedicated performance space in the city. Public momentum was reignited earlier this year through Udayavani’s campaign “Ranga Mandira Bekke Bekku” (A Theatre is a Must), launched on January 28, which significantly accelerated official clearances.
The site, adjacent to the Government Women’s Polytechnic in Bondel, was proposed by the district administration with a blueprint and cost estimate of ₹9.95 crore. Administrative sanction was granted by the Department of Kannada and Culture on February 27. Following this, MCC sought technical approval on March 5. However, discrepancies in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) delayed progress until a revised version was re-submitted and approved.
As per the sanctioned plan, the project will be developed on a 13,152.28 sq. m. plot, with the auditorium itself covering 2,277 sq. m. and providing a seating capacity of 675. The estimated cost remains unchanged at ₹9.95 crore.
With tendering now cleared, the project is set to transition from paper to reality, finally delivering a state-of-the-art cultural venue that promises to enrich Mangaluru’s artistic and social ecosystem.