KORAMANGALA BDACOMPLEX TO BE RAZED

KORAMANGALA BDACOMPLEX TO BE RAZED
20-year-old structure is ‘weak’; will be
r eplaced by a multi-storey
mall having a multiplex
DEEPTHI M R


After Forum, Big Bazaar and Total, Koramangala, one of the poshest localities in the city, will soon have a new address for shopping. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will demolish its complex in III block and replace it with glitzy mallcum-multiplex.
The 20-year-old complex, constructed by the BDA, has been a landmark structure with over 60 stalls and offices, including the Regional Transport Authority office. Now, it will pave the way for a multistoreyed mall.
The decision to bring down the complex follows a BDA report that the concrete structure has become weak over the years.
BDA officials confirmed the building will have to be demolished, but it will take about two months before this process begins. BDA Commissioner H Siddaiah said, “We had taken a decision to demolish three BDA complexes, in RT Nagar, Koramangala and Austin Town. But the stall owners of RT Nagar complex have obtained a court stay against the demolition in April last.”
The Koramangala complex houses the RTO and the subregistrar’s office along with many other shops. The sub-registrar’s office has been in the complex since 1989 and the RTO office since 1990.
“We will take a decision on the three complexes by next month, but nothing can be finalised until the RT Nagar stall owners’ case is resolved,” said Siddaiah.
While the stall owners are clueless about the demolition, they are worried about havingto shift out of the complex. Sheik Sarek, manager, Biryani Paradise, said, “We have been here since many years. It is a rented hotel, but we have been doing good business as many college students and IT employees come here for lunch and snacks.”
The BDA move has triggered panic among the stall owners. “Where will we be shifted? We have not been given any notice yet; we are worried,” said Naik, manager, Gurjari Stores.
While the transport department staff are not aware of the exact date of shifting, the senior officials are contemplating shifting to a new premises in HSR Layout.
PLANS FOR JAYANAGAR, INDIRANAGAR
The Jayanagar and Indiranagar BDA complexes too will be demolished to make way for shopping malls. The Jayanagar shopping complex will be designed by Sundaram Architects, who have also built the Garuda Mall. The Jayanagar complex will be remodelled on request by residents