Shivajinagar to get a facelift under Smart City project

The area around Shivajinagar bus station is poised for a major makeover under the Smart City project.

The project comprises upgrading the playground near the Traffic Transit Management Centre (TTMC) of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

Beneath the playground, Metro rail’s proposed station will come up. The Metro station will be connected through the bus stand. A walking track will be developed connecting the bus stand, a nearby church and a temple.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which is taking forward the Smart City project, promises to turn the place into a paradise for pedestrians.

“The playground will be upgraded into a state-of-the-art amphitheatre and a commercial hub. At present, there are some shops there. We will connect the bus stand to Russell Market, church and a temple nearby. It is a Rs 140-crore project,” said BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad.

Non-governmental organisation Janaagraha is assisting the BBMP in developing the area around Shivajinagar.

The 13-member special purpose vehicle (SPV) led by Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary (Urban Development Department), constituted for speedy implementation of the Smart City project, has hired Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka Ltd (iDeCK) as consultant to prepare a detailed project report.

It will also prepare the tender document and supervise the implementation of the project.

Similarly, areas around KR Market will also be upgraded under the Smart City project. The Palike has already planned to take up the TenderSURE project, providing quality footpaths in Kalasipalyam and surrounding places. The transport department’s proposed bus stand will add value to the project.