Bengaluru's IT hub Whitefield to get hi-tech convention centre

KPTO, Whitefield

Bengaluru's tech hub Whitefield will soon have a state-of-the-art exhibition hall-cum-convention centre.

The Karnataka Trade Promotion Organization (KTPO) is planning to develop a 20,000 square metre (sq m) exhibition-cum-convention space, which will be connected  to the existing exhibition halls.

"Bengaluru is home to many reputed institutions for higher learning, research centres, laboratories, and scientific establishments. Whitefield, being a major IT hub, has a high demand for exhibition halls and convention centres. The new space will host international and national events. The idea is to create a state-of-the-art facility to set a benchmark,” KTPO Managing Director Mahesh B told Moneycontrol.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro's Whitefield line chokes after return-to-office mandates, more trains only next year

“In east Bengaluru, there is no other convention centre with parking space for around 5,000 vehicles that can host big events. The centre will be located in the tech nerve centre where many  multinational corporations are present, and it's also close to two metro stations — Kundalahalli and Nallurhalli,” said Mahesh.

KTPO has recently floated a tender for the selection of a design consultant under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

Also, read: Pradeep Singh Kharola appointed CMD of India Trade Promotion Organization

KTPO’s trade centre in the Whitefield industrial area spans 48.35 acres. "Two air-conditioned exhibition areas of around 10,000 sq m have already been constructed, along with 11 open  exhibition halls—each with an area of 38 sq m—surrounding the main hall. These spaces can accommodate displays of heavy equipment, machinery, food courts, and business centres," said Mahesh.

KTPO is a joint venture of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to promote domestic and international trade. Other states like Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir also have similar trade promotion organisations. For instance, the Tamilnadu Trade Promotion Organisation's Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam, 5.5 km from Chennai International Airport, is a popular venue for trade-related activities.

Also, read: Delhi's new ITPO Complex: An architectural marvel | A Sneak Peak

The ITPO, under the union ministry of commerce and industry, serves as the parent organisation for these agencies. Its flagship venue, the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is a world-class international exhibition-cum-convention centre catering to exhibitors and investors from around the globe. The Bharat Mandapam has a built-up area of 4.2 million sq feet (ft), with a global convention centre that can accommodate 7,000 people, and six modern exhibition halls offering 1.5 lakh sq m of space.

Growing business travel

Separately, Bengaluru airport, now connected to over 100 destinations, highlights the city’s growing business travel footprint. On December 1, 2023, the airport, the country's third-busiest after Delhi and Mumbai, crossed the 300 million passenger mark (since its inception in May 2008).

Also, read: Bengaluru airport is now connected to 100 non-stop passenger destinations

Another major event venue is the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC)  in north-west Bengaluru. It is a 57-acre facility with a built-up area of 1,10,000 sq m, including 77,200 sq m of indoor exhibition space, five exhibition halls, a conference centre, food courts, an entrance plaza, and ample parking. Established by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), BIEC has hosted many national and international events since 2007. Bengaluru Metro's green line extension (Silk Institute–Nagasandra) is expected to be extended to BIEC (Madavara) by the end of October 2024.