The city's wait for a world-class convention centre is likely to end by mid-2017. Pragati Maidan, India's largest exhibition complex, will get the biggest convention centre with space for 8,000 people and more than 1.25 lakh sq metre exhibition area. The complex will be built towards Ring Road to avoid crowding Mathura Road further.
Only last month, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) cleared the change in Pragati Maidan's land use plan from "district park" to "international convention centre", paving the way for the convention centre.
Menon said a survey by ITPO showed there is demand for such space in Delhi and NCR.
Construction of the convention facility on the Ring Road side of Pragati Maidan will start by mid-2014. Sources said a detailed traffic circulation plan with construction of new slips roads in the area will be drawn. A helipad is also planned for VIP movement. Menon said the site is ideal for conventions and exhibitions because of its location. "We are sure top exhibitions held across Southeast Asia will come here. The India and Southeast Asia chapters of exhibitions held in US and Europe will also start here once we have the space.
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ITPO is talking to Indian Railways, which owns land on the Ring Road side, to set up a budget hotel beside the proposed convention centre. At present, Vigyan Bhawan is the biggest convention centre in Delhi with a capacity of just over 1,000 in its main plenary hall. It has hosted important seminars and ceremonies, including Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (1983), Non-Aligned Movement summit of 1983 and SAARC Summit.