BMP's castles in the air

Palike Tower just a castle in the air?
New Indian Express

The proposed Palike Tower gets Rs 3 crore this year, but will it come up?

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) budget has been talking about a dream project for the last four years: a modern office complex to keep pace with its future space requirements.

The project has seen many proud budget speeches and this year was no exception. This year the project has been reduced to just a glass house and has an allocation of Rs 3 crore.

But both office complex and glasshouse are based on no project reports. The proposed office complex, Palike Tower, was conceived two years ago and a glass and concrete structure having four floors and a basement was tentatively designed. The existing annexe of the BMP was to be demolished for the purpose.

This new office complex, along with the existing main building in granite and the Kempegowda Council Hall, were expected to house all BMP offices.

However, the project never took off from the concept stage. Apparently, the BMP had no data on its space requirement in future years. A study on personnel and their work requirements is still pending for reasons best known to the BMP.

A BMP official said that no mayor or minister showed interest in the project. At the same time there were some who felt the cylindrical structure was not advisable from space management and vastu perspectives.

Chairman of the standing committee on taxation and finance Lalitha Srinivasagowda said that only a glasshouse would be constructed this year.

“The glass house will be a reality soon,” she added.