Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has formally requested the minister for higher education and the Bangalore University (BU) vice-chancellor to transfer 25 acres of land at the varsity’s Jnanabharathi campus for constructing South Asia’s tallest skydeck. Official sources said the BBMP has sent the letter in consensus with the state govt and also offered to share the income with the BU.
This ambitious project, part of the Brand Bengaluru initiative, is expected to transform the city’s skyline, boost tourism, and attract significant investment. Initially, the govt explored multiple locations for the construction of the 250-metre-tall skydeck, but various constraints, including height restrictions and aviation concerns, led to the selection of Jnanabharathi campus as the most viable option.
“Initially, several locations across Bengaluru, including NGEF (Benniganahalli) and Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) in Yeshwantpur, were considered. However, these sites were ruled out owing to height restrictions imposed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manages aviation safety around the city’s airspace,” said a senior BBMP official. “Kommaghatta and Bangalore University campus (Jnanabharathi) were considered, but concerns over potential disruptions to students’ academic environment led to a rethink,” the official added.
Hemmigepura, located near NICE Road, then emerged as a strong contender. This location was seen as an ideal choice due to its accessibility and ample land availability. However, the ministry of civil aviation raised concerns about the impact of skydeck’s towering height on aviation operations. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) asked BBMP to look for alternatives to Hemmigepura site due to potential flight path obstructions. With Hemmigepura no longer viable, Karnataka govt revisited its decision and identified an alternative location that wouldn’t interfere with aviation regulations,” said a senior bureaucrat.
Thus, Jnanabharathi campus came into the picture again. A prime land parcel within the university premises, adjacent to Mysuru Road and in close proximity to both Kengeri railway and Metro stations, was identified as a suitable location. The identified land falls under survey numbers 94, 95, 128, and 130 at Pattarapalya, Kengeri-4, Bengaluru South taluk. This land transfer is crucial in ensuring that construction can begin at the earliest.
However, a senior official said constructing a skydeck at BU isn’t an easy task. “The university has too many students, and approving the installation of a skydeck will ruin the academic atmosphere. It will not be a safe haven for students anymore,” the official said.
How it all happened
The inspiration for building a skydeck in Bengaluru came during deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s visit to Edge, a world-renowned observation deck in New York City, last year.
While the initial estimated cost of the skydeck is Rs 250 crore, recent assessments indicate that the final cost may touch Rs 500 crore. The govt is working on finalising the revenue-sharing model, which will determine how land value and construction costs will be balanced to ensure the project remains financially viable, officials explained.
