JOIN USHow about dropping off your child at a daycare centre inside the metro station? Or making a quick stop to pick up groceries before you board the metro?
Apart from seamless connectivity, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited
(BMRCL) now intends to offer commuters a wide range of amenities.
From dry cleaners, gift shops, hypermarkets, pharmacies and ice cream parlours to start-up companies, e-commerce outlets and co-working spaces, five metro stations on the East-West Corridor is set to get more than 30 types of commercial facilities soon.
Based on requests, the BMRCL, which had called tenders for the selection of licences for 31 retail outlets covering about 35,000 sq ft, has extended the purchase of the tender document from July 26 to August 6.
“Already, 70 tender documents have been sold. There were a lot of enquiries on spaces designed for start-up companies and daycare centres. Hence, we have extended the deadline for people to make an informed choice,” U A Vasanth Rao, BMRCL spokesperson said. He added that apart from established brands, there is a demand for space from new entrants too.
The official said the BMRCL has included additional categories like e-logistics, workshops for hobbies, community centres, fresh juice shops and watch stores, among other
facilities.
He said interested applicants can log on to www.bmrc.co.in for more details on the tender process.
Non-fare box revenue
“We will provide licences for businesses in the other metro stations in a phased manner. This is one of the potential sources of non-fare box revenue for BMRCL as the metro lines pass through prime areas,” Rao said.
“Besides, Bengaluru being the city of innovation, we have carved out spaces for start-up companies and e-commerce facilities. The spaces earmarked for retail outlets are carefully chosen so as to not affect security checks, commuter circulation and the infrastructure,” he noted.