JOIN USAfter tech, tourism quotient beckons corporates to B'luru
Bengaluru is no longer just the go-to city of the corporates to set up their bases. The city is now also the preferred destination of industrial houses to adopt places of historical importance. Perhaps, an effort at turning the capital into a meeting point for technology and tourism.
Venkatappa Art Gallery and Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technology Museum on Kasturba Road in the city figure high on the list of the corporates and IT majors. A senior official of the Tourism department told Deccan Herald that Bengaluru is the most preferred destination of corporates for adoption, vis-a-vis tourist destinations.
The department has listed 319 destinations in the State for adoption under tourism policy. Of this, the initial list comprises 46 destinations. The order for offering destinations and spots for adoption and upgrading was issued on September 18 last year by the under secretary to the department of tourism. Since April, the department has been holding meetings with corporate firms and finalising details of the agreement before signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU). “During the meetings, companies pointed out that Bengaluru, as a tourist destination, has nothing to offer. This opinion followed a feedback from non-Bengalureans working and residing in the City. They pointed out that the capital has only malls and no culture to offer, despite housing destinations like Venkatappa Art Gallery and Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technology Museum. Tourists would prefer similar sites in other countries, but not in India, especially Bengaluru. This is why companies want to adopt them under corporate social responsibility for upgrading and providing facilities. The final stages of talks with companies and heads of these places are on. Agreements will be signed in the coming days and work on upgrading will start in June. The MoUs will be signed for amounts ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore,” the official said.
Requests are also pouring in to adopt Lalbagh and the General Post Office in Bengaluru.
“These two destinations were not part of the list. But we have now been forced to include them. Talks with the heads of departments under which they come are underway. We are finding it difficult to convince the officials because they assume that the destination would get privatised. Companies will just improve and provide infrastructure like signages, lighting, clean toilets and accommodation. Corporates will finance and maintain the places for five years,” the official said.
The other preferred destinations in the State are Ranganathittu in Mandya district, Belur and Halebid in Hassan district.
The destination least opted for is Hampi. It needs improvements like better battery-operated vehicles, drinking water, toilet facilities and walkways. But, companies do not want to come forward as it is a site protected by Unesco and the Archaeological Survey of India, the official said.
The list also includes Tipu’s Palace Fort, Freedom Park, Bannerghatta (all in Bengaluru), Badami, Aihole, Shivagange, Bidar Fort and Gol Gumbaz.
Shravanabelagola, Abbey Falls, Kokkarebellur, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens, Talakad, Raichur Fort, Malpe Beach, Murudeshwar and Jog Falls are the other destinations that may eventually be adopted by the companies. DH News Service