Global Citizen gets Rs 6 crore discount from MMRDA for Coldplay concert
Coldplay performing at Wembley
The state-run Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to give a hefty discount to Global Citizen on the rent for its venue at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Global Citizen is organizing a concert at the venue on November 19, which will be headlined by British band Coldplay.
Confirming the development, CM Devendra Fadnavis told Asian Age, “We have decided to support the social awareness campaign promoted by Global Citizen. We would give concession on the venue’s rent for the concert scheduled to be held next month.”
Metropolitan Commissioner (MMRDA) U.P.S. Madan also confirmed the same, stating, “The concert organisers would have to pay only 25 per cent of the total rent amount for MMRDA ground at BKC.”
The development implies that the organisers would have to pay Rs 2 crore as rent instead of Rs 8 crore for conducting the event on 1.5 crore square metre MMRDA ground.
According to the daily, MMRDA charges rent of Rs 8 per sq m for a single day of any programme that’s scheduled. In addition, it charges Rs 4.5 per sq m for each day that the organiser uses the ground to prepare for the event, which includes setting the stage and erecting or dismantling the stage before and after the programme.
Global Citizen has booked the ground for three days from November 18 to 20.
Last week, Global Citizen and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) had written to MMRDA requesting to waive off the venue’s rent. But, the state decided to offer a heavy concession instead.
The decision to offer discount on the venue’s rent has met with opposition from rival parties and activists, who’ve slammed the government following the announcement.
While NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik has questioned the government about the lack of impetus for local artists to promote social awareness, RTI activist Anil Galgali has said that MMRDA should not discount the revenue being generated from any event as it will only be used for the betterment of the public infrastructure.
