If its demolition caused enough furore all across, the new avatar of Pragati Maidan complex is set to draw as much attention. Armed with slew of awe inspiring features including a helipad, hotel and integrated food court, the Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Centre(IECC) being developed by India Trade Promotion Organisation(ITPO) hopes to be a better landmark structure than its predecessor.

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Conceived by National Buildings Construction Corporation(India) Limited, the IECC will be constructed at a cost of whopping Rs2254 crore, work for which will commence from July 2017, with the ITPO setting a “realistic” deadline to the project. While the convention centre is targeted for December 2018 completion, the entire structure, including seven new exhibition halls, will be completed by July 2019. Pragati Maidan,which is spread across an area of 123 acres, is set for a major makeover, also aims to achieve many milestones. For instance, the 1 lakh 22000 sq mt covered space for exhibition halls, is the largest in the world. The open space for the same is 50 acres. 

The star of IECC will be its helipad, connected to the main convention centre through elevators, designed specially for state heads and other dignitaries for smooth facilitation of their visits. Another highlight is the convention centre, built like an architectural marvel on an elevated podium, standing tall at 32 mt, and having a capacity to host 7000 at any given point of time. The elliptical building will have a unique sloping facade highlighting rich culture of Delhi. 

Speaking during the press conference on Tuesday, LC Goyal, chairman and managing director(CMD), ITPO, said, “The IECC is going to write history as a spectacular model for the capital. It is being designed in sync with the Prime Minister’s vision of new India, one that will usher in a new era for the city and also place it at an elevate platform on global level.”