Eat, pray, unwind at VV Towers

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Eat. Pray. Unwind....Come March 2022, an open space that leads to the towering Visvesvaraya Towers on Dr BR Ambedkar Veedhi will be transformed into a people friendly public space for anyone who wants to relax and soak in the cornucopia of art, music and cuisine that Bengaluru’s cultural soul has to offer.

Cyclists can pedal through. There will be a space set aside for art exhibitions, open air dance performances with one part of it geared to be user friendly to the visually and physically challenged.

Behind this unique concept is the Department of Urban Land Transport (DULT), which has embarked on the beautification of the public space at an estimated cost of Rs 75.30 lakh.

“It is the first project to develop a public space, “ said DULT Commissioner V Manjula, whose brainchild it is. “We want to develop this place for the convenience of visitors to the Visvesvaraya Towers, but equally as an ideal place for cyclists and pedestrians and anyone who wants to relax for a while,’’ said the DULT Commissioner.

The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has given the nod to the DULT to develop the public place. “We have entrusted the development of this place to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). We are funding this project and it is expected to be completed by March 30, 2022,’’ said the DULT Commissioner.

The contract is for construction of a retaining wall, benches, laying of pavers, tree pits, compound wall, lights and landscape at the public place. The developed public place will have a Bengaluru sculpture selfie point, a stepped up platform for performances, steps and seating spaces to open up public space for visually and physically-challenged people. It will also have wayfinding signages and historical signages.

Many employees and visitors at Visvesvaraya Towers have welcomed the DULT’s plan to develop the vacant space into a public amenity place. “I want the authorities to maintain this place after developing it,’’ said Krishna Gowda, an employee.

Cautioning the DULT authorities not to let it become another project in the city that was neglected as soon as opening for public, Venkatesh M, a visitor, has opined that the authorities should give importance for the maintenance of the place after it is opened for public. “I expect this place to give added value for Visvesvaraya Towers. It will be an ideal place for people to relax for a while,’’ said Venkatesh.

Some visitors have said that as of now there are no amenities for senior citizens and physically-challenged people who visit the Visvesvaraya Towers for pension and other purposes. “The public space will be an ideal place for senior citizens and physically-challenged people to spend some time while waiting for their work to be done,’’ said Nagesh M.