65-acre Tree Park planned at NGEF site in Baiyyappanahalli

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

The first phase of the project is expected to be opened to the public in March, creating a premium green space, the Minister said.

Mr. Patil visited the NGEF premises to inspect the ongoing works related to the proposed park. He said, “The project is being implemented in four phases- Phase 1, Phase 1A, Phase 1B and Phase 2, at an estimated total cost of ₹37.75 crore.”

He said works under Phase 1A are likely to be completed within the next six months, and added that ₹11.50 crore required for Phase 1 had already been released.

Mr. Patil said the site currently has around 8,500 trees and that a scientific assessment would be conducted to determine the future course of action with regard to the eucalyptus trees on the premises. “Not a single tree will be felled,” the Minister said.

The Minister said the existing administrative office buildings and industrial sheds on the NGEF premises have been found to be structurally sound, based on an assessment carried out by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). He said these structures would be refurbished and repurposed to suit present-day requirements.

He also announced that a multi-level parking facility with a capacity to accommodate between 5,000 and 7,000 vehicles would be constructed on an additional 4.5 acres of factory-owned land located outside the main compound.

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

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

The Tree Park will also include a world-class sculpture park and an NGEF museum. Mr. Patil clarified that no shopping mall would be constructed on the premises, but said a well-equipped amphitheatre would be developed to host various activities. He said the project would significantly benefit residents of east Bengaluru and that it would emerge as a green space superior to Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.

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

Detailing the project, Mr. Patil said Phase 1 of the Tree Park would include an entrance plaza, elevated walkways, cycling tracks, water cascades, springs and fountains, a food court, children’s play areas, pet-friendly zones, toilets and other essential infrastructure. An amount of ₹26.23 crore is being spent under Phase 1B.

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