G20: ‘Bharat Mandapam’, know about India’s G20 Summit venue, built at cost of Rs 2700 crore

The flagship event of G20 Summit 2023 under India’s presidency is set to take place on September 9-10 at the recently launched state-of-the-art Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan. Inaugurated earlier this year in July by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new ITPO complex was named ‘Bharat Mandapam’.

The International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex is the centre-piece of the revamped Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The National project upgraded the old and outdated facilities at Pragati Maidan. The IECC complex has a campus area of approximately 123 acres. It is also India’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. 

The campus includes Convention Centre, Exhibition halls and amphitheatre among other facilities. The project cost around Rs 2700 crore and aims to showcase and promote India as a global business destination.

The name, Bharat Mandapam, is derived from Lord Basaveshwara’s idea of Anubhav Mandapam, which was a pavilion for public ceremonies. The shape of the building is inspired by the Shankha (conch shell). The flying-saucer shaped Convention Centre is designed to host large-scale international exhibitions, trade fairs, conventions, and conferences. It boasts meeting rooms, VIP lounges, auditoriums, an amphitheatre and a business centre. It has a combined capacity higher than the seating capacity of Australia’s famous Sydney Opera House. The Amphitheatre can seat 3,000 individuals.