Bengaluru: In a major boost to green infrastructure in east Bengaluru, M B Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, announced that 65 acres of the 105-acre former NGEF factory land at Baiyappanahalli will be developed into a large botanical garden, with the first phase opening to the public in March.
Patil inspected the ongoing works at the NGEF campus on Saturday, accompanied by senior officials from multiple departments. He said the project is being developed in four phases—Phase-1, 1A, 1B and Phase-2—at a total cost of ₹37.75 crore. The works under Phase-1A are expected to be completed within the next six months.
According to the minister, the site already hosts over 8,500 trees of various species, whose scientific names have been displayed. “Not a single tree will be felled,” Patil said, adding that even decisions regarding existing eucalyptus trees would be taken only after scientific evaluation. Funds amounting to ₹11.50 crore for Phase-1 have already been released.
Patil said that administrative buildings and industrial sheds within the NGEF campus have been structurally assessed by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and found to be stable. “Instead of demolishing them, we will repurpose and renovate these structures to meet future requirements,” he said.
Outside the compound, 4.5 acres of NGEF land will be utilised to build a multi-level parking facility capable of accommodating 5,000 to 7,000 vehicles, easing congestion in the surrounding areas.
Two existing electric motor sheds will be converted into separate convention centres with a combined seating capacity of around 15,000, capable of hosting conferences, seminars, cultural programmes and large public events. In addition, an innovation incubation centre called ‘Innovers’ will be set up by the state-run KITS institution to support startups and entrepreneurs.
The IT-BT Department will also establish a Technology Innovation Museum at a cost of ₹100 crore, Patil said. The botanical garden will further feature a global-standard sculpture park, an NGEF heritage museum, and a fully equipped open-air amphitheatre. “No shopping mall will be allowed in this campus,” the minister clarified.
Patil expressed confidence that the NGEF botanical garden would emerge as one of Bengaluru’s finest green spaces, potentially surpassing Cubbon Park and Lalbagh in scale and diversity. He noted that a small portion of land near the entrance falls under Namma Metro, and discussions are underway to secure it.
“I have initiated large-scale afforestation drives in my hometown Vijayapura and understand the true value of green wealth. Not a single tree here will be cut; instead, every tree will be protected. My goal is to develop this NGEF botanical garden into an international-standard destination,” Patil said.
Senior officials including Industries Department Principal Secretary Selvakumar, Commissioner Gunjan Krishna, Namma Metro Managing Director Dr. J. Ravishankar, MSIL MD Manoj Kumar, Infrastructure Department Secretary Vishal, IT-BT Secretary Dr. N. Manjula, and the minister’s technical adviser Aravind Galagali were present during the inspection.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕಬ್ಬನ್ ಪಾರ್ಕ್–ಲಾಲ್ಬಾಗ್ಗಿಂತ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹಸಿರು ತಾಣ? ಎನ್ಜಿಇಎಫ್ ವೃಕ್ಷೋದ್ಯಾನ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಚಾಲನೆ: ಮಾರ್ಚ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲ ಹಂತ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆ
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