Karnataka Approves 250-Metre Skydeck Near NICE Road

Karnataka's Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced the go-ahead for a 250-metre Skydeck near NICE Road. Opposition leaders have backed the project, which will be discussed in the Cabinet. Tunnel roads and signal-free corridors are also planned, with funds and land finalization underway.

The Karnataka government has approved the construction of a 250-metre Skydeck near NICE Road on the outskirts of Bengaluru, announced Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference, Shivakumar stated that opposition leaders and MLAs representing Bengaluru have given their support for the project. "We will place this before the Cabinet very soon and take it forward," he said.

The Skydeck project requires approximately 25 acres of land, and after evaluating various sites, including the Bengaluru university campus, the location near NICE Road was chosen to avoid impacting students. "All elected representatives from Bengaluru, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, have agreed on the NICE Road location," Shivakumar elaborated. The land is currently held by the promoters of NICE Road, but according to R. Ashoka, a Supreme Court order mandates that NICE will hand over about 200 acres to the government.

Addressing concerns about the Skydeck's distance from the city, Shivakumar said the location would be convenient for tourists heading to Mysuru and Kodagu and will benefit from improved connectivity with the completion of the peripheral Ring Road. He also revealed plans for tunnel roads, including an 18.5 km tunnel from Esteem Mall near Hebbal to Silk Board, with tenders to be called post-Cabinet review. Additionally, signal-free corridors spanning 100 km will require Rs 12,000 crores, and future metro lines will be converted into double-decker flyovers. Efforts are also underway to improve garbage disposal and traffic management.