The Karnataka government is planning to develop a Rs 145-crore mega tourism project at Manchanabele dam, about 40 km from Bengaluru in Ramanagara district, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Spread across 72.3 acres, the project will have an eco-resort, a business hotel, a viewing deck, and a statue of Kempegowda, who is also known as the founder of Bengaluru in the 16th century.
The Manchanabele dam, situated in the Vokkaliga-dominated Ramanagara district, was recently renamed Bengaluru South after lobbying by deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL), which comes under the water resources department, a portfolio of Shivakumar, had invited a tender for the development of tourism-related facilities at the dam.
Sources said two firms participated in the tender: Ramalingam Construction Company and Rajashree Electricals -Platinum Developers JV. "We have opened the technical bid, and the evaluation is underway. After the evaluation of the technical bid and scrutiny by the committee, the financial bid will be opened," sources said.
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The proposed development, divided into three zones - an arrival zone, an adventure zone, and a leisure zone. The arrival zone - and spanning 3 acres of land, will feature a ticketing plaza, a toy train station, and a smart parking area designed to accommodate up to 100 vehicles.
The eco-tourism zone, covering 15.5 acres, will house a business hotel with 55 rooms, an eco-resort with cottages, a spa, a wellness centre, swimming pools, banquet halls, and restaurants offering panoramic views of the dam reservoir.
The 15.3-acre adventure zone will feature attractions like a skating rink, go-karting track, dirt biking trails, horse-riding arena, rock-climbing wall, and high-rope courses. It will also include a cultural village with a plaza, open-air theatres, food kiosks showcasing local traditions, landscaped areas, and a helipad. The zone will be accessible directly from the approach road, with buggie connectivity and a ticketing centre with parking facilities.
The leisure zone, spanning 60.4 acres, will serve as the primary public area of the development. It will feature gardens, walking trails, and a children’s play area, alongside serene attractions such as a rose garden, dry rock garden, and Japanese garden. A viewing deck at the highest point will offer a panoramic view of the reservoir and include the Kempegowda statue, as well as a food court. Additional elements include a toy train, gazebos, fountains, and a timber pedestrian bridge connecting to the northern side of the dam.
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The 3.6-acre zone, accessible through the primary access road, is designed for camping, events, and hiking trails. Water sports, including boating and jetty rides, are concentrated in a calm bay area, away from the main dam gate, with dedicated access and parking. The zone integrates water activities with camping and hiking, while the existing Magadi Town Water Pumping Station and treatment plant will be retained and fenced to restrict public access. The project will have access from two roads: state highway (Savandurga-Manchanabele Road) and foreshore road (northern side of the dam site). A secondary entry point and dedicated service access have also been planned.
"Houseboats with provisions for overnight stays in the backwaters of Manchanabele and a ropeway offering a panoramic view of the Arkavathi Valley would greatly boost tourism in Bengaluru and Ramanagara districts," Tejaswi KR, an infrastructure enthusiast, said.
Officials said the development will be taken up under design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) for a concession period of 30 years. The selected firm will be responsible for planning, designing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the project. They will also have the right to charge and collect user fees during the concession period before transferring the site and facilities back to CNNL.
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