Bengaluru, 3 Jan

 
A 65-acre tree park will be developed at Baiyappanahalli at an estimated cost of Rs 37.75 crore, and its first phase is expected to open to the public in March, Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said here on Saturday.

The park will be developed on a part of the 105-acre site that belonged to the state-owned New Government Electrical Factory (NGEF), he added. Patil visited the NGEF premises for an inspection, accompanied by senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the tree park is being developed in four phases, that is, Phase 1, 1A, 1B and Phase 2. Phase 1A work is expected to be completed within six months.

The site will have around 8,500 trees of various species, with their scientific names displayed. Patil emphasised that not a single tree would be felled. A scientific assessment will guide decisions regarding the existing eucalyptus trees.

He added that Rs 11.50 crore required for phase 1 works has already been released. The administrative office buildings and sheds on NGEF premises were assessed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) scientists and were found structurally sound and they will be refurbished.

"A multi-level parking facility capable of accommodating 5,000-7,000 vehicles will be constructed on 4.5 acres of factory-owned land outside the compound," Patil said.

He added that two convention centres, each with a seating capacity of at least 15,000, will be built in the existing electric motor sheds. "An incubation centre for start-ups, named ‘Innoverse,’ will be established by KITS.

The IT-BT Department will also build a Rs 100-crore ‘Technology Innovation Museum’ at the site," he said. Patil said the tree park will also feature a world-class sculpture park and an NGEF museum. He also clarified that no shopping mall would be constructed on the premises.