Bengaluru: The state Government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have entered into an agreement with the World Design Organisation to give a new look to Bengaluru and make it a global city.
Speaking to mediapersons at Vidhana Soudha on July 24, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said, A new chapter begins today for Brand Bengaluru and Karnataka. This will be a stepping stone for the future development of Karnataka. A few years ago there was a competition to decide which is the design capital of the world. But Bengaluru did not succeed in this. Bengaluru should be built as a livable city. An agreement is being made with this organisation for this, he said.
Bengaluru is the fastest growing city in the world and the Government is committed to making Bengaluru a global city. In any project, its design plays a very important role. So we are joining hands with this organisation today. This organisation will provide advice and guidance regarding the development projects to be undertaken in Bengaluru in the near future, he noted.
He said, Initially this agreement was limited to Bengaluru city only. But now it has been covered under BMRDA areas. Bengaluru has its own history, heritage and culture. Keeping all these in mind, today’s agreement has been made. This agreement will strengthen us. The commissioner is signing this agreement on behalf of the government and BBMP, he added.
Our elders have built Bengaluru in their own way. We are trying to give a new look to Bengaluru to take it to international level. This agreement is being made to advise on what kind of changes can be made in the present Bengaluru, how to shape the future Bengaluru, how to shape a new satellite town, he said.
This organisation is headquartered in Canada and has some of the best architectures in the world. This organisation has worked with many countries. About 200-300 engineers will be working in the coming days. They don’t build any buildings here. He advises to give a new look to Bengaluru. We will think about giving shape to the district centers and taluk centers in the later days after looking at what kind of advice they give now. We are trying to give a new look to Bengaluru and we need your cooperation, added DyCM.
Earlier, there was a contract with this organisation for Rs. 200 Crore, and when asked whether it has been increased, he said, “We have reduced the contract amount. Only half of the amount due will be given in the first year. We said we will see how their work is and then move on. We should implement their suggestions. Thus this agreement is made for five years based on the conditions. An agreement was made earlier as well. But now its scope has been increased. The present Bengaluru, has not grown as planned. So how much change can be brought in Bengaluru city? This decision has been taken to plan in the right way in the areas where Bengaluru will grow,” he said.
When asked about the widespread discussion about the strategy to topple the government in Singapore, he said, “There should be a discussion. They want to go out and discuss, let them go. People who want to discuss here, let them do. We also know where and what meetings are being thought about,” he said.