KG research centre on track as BU irons out issues

Issues over setting up the Kempagowda Research Centre at Bangalore University campus have apparently been ironed out.

If the project goes ahead as planned, Jnanbharathi will have a new building on its campus in 18 months' time.

Recently, BU Vice Chancellor Venugopal KR held a meeting with Adichunchanagiri Seer, State Forest and BBMP officials to reach a truce and get their nod for the building. “First, we thought our campus belonged to BBMP forest cell, but later it came to our knowledge that it is monitored by state forest department,” a senior BU official told DH.

“We’ve to fell 48 eucalyptus trees in the designated area. After several surveys, we got the permission from the forest department. The process has delayed the project by eight months,” the official said.

The Vice Chancellor said the varsity has already called the tender. “The project will begin soon and the building work will be completed in 18 months,” he said.

The building would come up in three acres of land near the administrative block of Jnanbharathi. Kempegowda Research Centre will house 10 seminar halls, 4 classrooms and a 1200-seater auditorium. It will also house the Kempegowda museum, now in Mayo Hall.

“We’ll shift the museum to the Research Centre soon after the building is ready. We’ll also add more features depicting Bengaluru’s heritage,” Venugopal said.

Though BBMP has sanctioned Rs 50 crore for the project, BU authorities will ask as much additional amount since the Centre would be a tourist area and a major revenue spinner.

The VC said the 48 trees to be felled for the project are all eucalyptus trees known to wipe away the groundwater. “I promise to plant 100 saplings after the project is finished. This would be to compensate for the trees removed,” he said.

Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Munirathna Naidu is determined to get 18 acre land for the Research Centre. “My concept of Kempegowda Research Centre needs 18 acres. I’ll ensure to get it in a month’s time,” he said.

He said the Centre, besides having auditorium, should display 500 years of the city’s history. “IF the visitor sees the old Bengaluru at the entrance, he should see the modern IT hub while exiting,” Munirathna told DH.