WTC in Bangalore

WTC IN BANGALORE!
Massive Complex Planned In Whitefield

The Times of India

Bangalore: Bangalore may soon have a World Trade Centre. It will be part of the global network of World Trade Centres, the most well-known of which was tragically brought down in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in New York.

D.K. Adikeshavulu, owner of Karnataka Breweries and Distilleries, who has been holding the license to build a WTC in Bangalore for the past four years, is said to be now trying to put the project in motion. The complex is expected to come up in Whitefield, where Adikeshavulu holds over 100 acres of land. The Radisson Hotel is coming up currently in part of this property, and premium residential spaces will also be part of this massive complex.

Several property developers are learnt to be in the race to join hands with Adikeshavulu in the project.

About four years ago, when Adikeshavulu got the licence, he had tied up with Unitech Ltd for development of the property. Architects group, Arcop Associates had prepared a masterplan for a built-up space of 1 million sq ft. However, sources said a lull in the property market and differences with Unitech compelled Adikeshavulu to put off the project. Now, with the property market in the city booming, there is renewed interest in the project.

Adikeshavulu was not available for comment on this, but Shaffi Mather, director of WTC India and advisor to the World Trade Centre Association (WTCA), confirmed that the licence given to Adikeshavulu for the Bangalore project was still valid. “I believe the project will be finalised soon,” he said.

The WTCA, headquartered in New York city, was established in 1970 as a nonprofit organisation devoted to promoting the growth of
international trade

through the establishment of World Trade Centres strategically positioned throughout the world. Today, it has nearly 300 centres located in almost 100 countries, including one in Mumbai.

The WTC makes trade information available to its members (including the tenants in its buildings) in a timely and coordinated manner. It also offers a wide range of other facilities and services.

“We work on reciprocity. Members occupying space in any one WTC can avail of services in all operating WTCs around the world,” Mather said.

Despite the 2001 tragedy, the WTC brand is said to be thriving globally. An article on WTC that appeared last year in the Boston Globe had this to say: “The twin towers of New York fell during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but the number of buildings named ‘World Trade Centre’ is rising dramatically around the world — even in the Middle East. From Boston to Basra, Iraq, of all places, the World Trade Centre brand is proving more prestigious than poignant, denoting cachet instead of catastrophe, and surging as a symbol of economic achievement, not terrorism’s triumph.”

TRADE MOVES

The WTCA aims to promote the growth of international trade through the establishment of World Trade Centres throughout the world.
D.K. Adikeshavulu, the licensee for the WTC in Bangalore, is said to be now trying to put the project in motion.
Property developers are learnt to be in the race to join hands with Adikeshavulu in the project.
The massive complex is expected to come up in Whitefield, complete with premium residential spaces and a Radisson Hotel.