Bengaluru to get 250-metre Skydeck; DK Shivakumar finalises location

An artistic rendering of the Skydeck

Indicating that the 250-meter Skydeck is likely to be built near NICE Road, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on July 27 said that opposition leaders and BJP MLAs in Bengaluru have agreed on the location.

“The Skydeck requires about 25 acres. All Bengaluru's elected representatives, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, have agreed on the NICE Road location,” Shivakumar said at a press conference after a meeting with Bengaluru’s elected representatives including BJP MLAs at Vidhana Soudha.

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“The land is currently held by the NICE Road promoters. According to a Supreme Court order, NICE is required to transfer around 200 acres to the government. So we have finalised the site on NICE Road site,” said Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio.

Sources said other potential sites included NGEF land at Byappanahalli in East Bengaluru, Sandal Soap Factory near Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru University’s Jnanabharathi campus, and Kommaghatta, where a new helipad was constructed for PM Narendra Modi in 2022.  However, NGEF land was ruled out due to proximity concerns with Bengaluru's old airport.

Subsequently, the state government zeroed in on a 25-acre plot in Hemmigepura near NICE Road in southwest Bengaluru.

However, Shivakumar did not specify the exact location for the Skydeck. "We considered about 10 locations for this project, but Union Ministry of Civil Aviation had reservations due to the Skydeck’s height. We also considered sites near Kommaghatta and Bengaluru University’s Jnanabharathi campus in the west. But we decided against it as it might affect University students" he said.

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Asked if the Skydeck location is far from the city, Shivakumar said:“We’ve considered all factors. The site is convenient for tourists travelling to Mysuru and Kodagu, and connectivity will further improve with the upcoming Peripheral Ring Road. We’ll discuss the location in the Cabinet and plan to fund the project with government funds.”

The Rs 850-crore Skydeck project aims to become a major tourist attraction with features including a sky lobby, panoramic city views, a theatre, an exhibition hall, a VIP area, and shopping options.

“There are no major tourist attractions in Bengaluru besides Vidhana Soudha and Nehru Planetarium. So we decided to build this Skydeck,” said Shivakumar.

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Tunnel Roads

Shivakumar also discussed 18.5 km tunnel road plan from Esteem Mall near Hebbal to Silk Board (North-South corridor). “Tenders will be called after the Cabinet meeting. Some land acquisition is needed, and all MLAs have agreed to cooperate,” he said.

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He said that another tunnel from East to West is planned for the next phase. "We have also identified 17-18 signal-free corridors across the city. To build 100 km of signal-free corridor, we would need about Rs 12,000 crore. We are preparing to invite tenders. All future Metro lines will be converted into double-decker flyovers,” he said.

Also Read: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar takes test drive on Bengaluru's 1st double-decker flyover

Shivakumar also discussed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill with legislators and emphasised the need for rapid development to keep pace with the city’s growth. “Kempegowda built Bengaluru, Kengal Hanumanthaiah built Vidhana Soudha, and SM Krishna made Bengaluru a global city. We need to act quickly to bring order to the city,” he said.

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On the status of the Cauvery 5th Stage water supply project for peripheral areas, he said, “It will be ready by August 20, and it is currently in the trial phase.”