65-acre Tree Park planned at NGEF site in Baiyyappanahalli

A 65-acre Tree Park will be developed on the land that previously housed the state-owned NGEF factory at Baiyyappanahalli, out of the total 105 acres available on the site, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil said on Saturday.

The minister said that the first phase of the project is expected to be opened to the public in March and will create a first-class green space.

Mr. Patil visited the NGEF premises to inspect the ongoing work on the proposed park. “The project is being implemented in four phases: Phase 1, Phase 1A, Phase 1B and Phase 2, with an estimated total cost of ₹37.75 crore.”

Work under Phase 1A is likely to be completed in the next six months, he said, adding that ₹ 11.50 crore required for Phase 1 has already been released.

Mr Patil said the area currently has around 8,500 trees and a scientific assessment will be carried out to determine the future course of action regarding the eucalyptus trees at the facility. “Not a single tree will be cut down,” the minister said.

The minister said that as per the assessment made by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the existing administrative office buildings and industrial hangars at the NGEF premises were found to be structurally sound. He said these structures will be renovated and redesigned to suit today’s needs.

He also announced that a multi-storey car park facility with a capacity of 5,000 to 7,000 vehicles will be built on an additional 4.5 acres of land belonging to the factory outside the main campus.

Mr Patil said two convention centres, each with a seating capacity of at least 15,000 people, would be developed in the existing electric motor lodges.

An incubation center for start-ups, to be called ‘Innoverse’, will be set up by the government-run Karnataka Information Technology Services (KITS), which will provide dedicated workspaces to entrepreneurs. The BT-IT Department will also set up a ‘Technology Innovation Museum’ in the district at an estimated cost of ₹ 100 crore.

Tree Park will also include a world-class sculpture park and an NGEF museum. Patil said that a shopping center will not be built on the land, but a well-equipped amphitheater will be developed to host various events. He said the project will significantly benefit the residents of east Bengaluru and emerge as a green space superior to Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.

The minister added that only a small portion of the land required for the entrance gate falls under the jurisdiction of Namma Metro and discussions will be held to secure it.

Elaborating on the project, Mr. Patil said Phase 1 of Tree Park will include an entrance plaza, elevated walkways, cycle paths, water cascades, springs and fountains, food court, children’s play areas, pet-friendly zones, toilets and other basic infrastructure. An amount of ₹26.23 crore is being spent under Phase 1B.

Under Phase 2, the sheds built during the factory’s operational period will be redeveloped into a sports centre, arts and culture centre, community hall and food court using the PPP model.