Vikasa Soudha buzzing with activity now

Vikasa Soudha buzzing with activity now
Deccan Herald

Inagurated about fifteen months ago, the eight-storeyed new block has ornamental outer wall and resembles Vidhana Soudha.

Vikasa Soudha, the new South Block of Vidhana Soudha build at a cost of Rs 148 crore, is now buzzing with life with six State government departments moving in.

The premises of Vikasa Soudha, which wore a deserted look for nearly 15 months after it was officially inaugurated, now shows signs of life with over a dozen official white cars dotting the premises.

It was inaugurated just before the Assembly election by S M Krishna, former Chief Minister of Karnataka on February 5, 2004 even before the work on it could be completed.

According to sources in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), the six departments which have shifted to Vikasa Soudha include Public Works Department (which was the first to move), Energy Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Housing Department, Commerce and Industries Department and Water Resources Department. However, the ministers of these departments are yet to make a move to the new futuristic, hi-tech building.

DPAR sources said that more departments will move in as and when the chambers are ready for occupation.

Public Works Department Chief Engineer (Communications and Buildings) said that although the structural works of the building are now completed, works such as landscaping (estimated at Rs 30 crore), installation of a teleconferencing facility, furnishing and interiors will go on till December.

The Vikasa Soudha is expected to save the government exchequer of Rs 5.50 crore now paid towards rental charges per annum for several government offices functioning in private buildings which will be moved to the new building.

The South Block is built in an area of about 7.5 acres. It is an eight-storeyed structure with outer walls of ornamental stone work similar to the Vidhana Soudha facade.

The granite stones for the ornamental stone work was specially selected from quarries located in Hesaraghatta, Avalahalli, Mallasandra and Koira.

It will have hydro-pneumatic system for water supply and 100 KW solar power grid system, making it the first government building to have these systems.

There is parking facility for about 600 cars in the three basement floors.

The original abstract estimate was pegged at Rs 100 crore and the amount put to tender was Rs 77.68 crore with B G Shirke Construction Technology Limited, Pune, quoting the lowest amount at Rs 77.41 crore.

However, with the cost over-runs over the last five years, unforeseen expenditure and additional works have resulted in the final expenditure coming up to Rs 148 crore.

Vikasa Soudha came into limelight recently when tennis champions Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza played a promotional match on a make-shift tennis court laid between the imposing Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha.

Grapevine has it that this was the idea of tennis-loving former Chief Minister S M Krishna, who is also the President of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association.