BBMP selects Jnanabharathi campus for skydeck project to enhance tourism

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is moving ahead with plans to construct a skydeck as part of its ambitious initiative to boost tourism along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Road.

After much deliberation and site evaluation, BBMP has selected the Jnanabharathi campus of Bangalore University (BU) for the skydeck, a 250-metre-high structure intended to offer panoramic views of the city. Despite initial setbacks and objections, the project now seems poised for further development, with BBMP hoping to commence work soon. The skydeck, a brainchild of the Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru’s in-charge minister, has already seen its fair share of controversy. Initially proposed in August 2024, the Jnanabharathi campus location was dropped after concerns arose about its potential impact on students’ education. However, following several meetings and revisions of the plan, the BBMP has finalised the site and moved forward with the proposal. The civic body’s Chief Commissioner has written to the higher education department seeking 15 acres of land for the project, with a plan to turn it into a key tourism and recreational hub for Bengaluru.

In the recently approved BBMP budget, a substantial ₹400 crore was allocated for the skydeck project, with ₹50 crore earmarked for the initial planning and preparation of a detailed project report. The project’s proponents argue that the skydeck will not only be a major tourist attraction but will also help promote Bengaluru as a leading city for urban tourism, boosting the local economy and providing a new leisure destination for residents and visitors alike. However, the project has met with stiff resistance from various stakeholders, particularly within Bangalore University. The university, which has long been a hub for academic activity and environmental preservation, has voiced significant concerns about the project’s potential impact on its land and surrounding natural resources. Sources within the university have indicated that BU is reluctant to hand over any land for the development of the skydeck, given that a portion of the identified area is subject to ongoing legal disputes regarding land encroachment. The land in question is also situated within the Vrishabhavathi Valley and the Rajakaluve Buffer Zone, where national environmental regulations require strict maintenance of a 500-metre buffer zone.

Moreover, the land proposed for the skydeck is known to have ecological value. It was originally designated as a biopark by a prominent environmentalist and former forest officer, home to a variety of tree species such as Red Cedar, Rudrakasha, teak, and bamboo, along with an orchidarium, a medicinal plant park, and a sandalwood tree park. These areas support more than 175 species of birds, including peacocks, and are vital for groundwater recharge, making the location an important ecological space. Environmental advocates have raised alarms that the construction of the skydeck would further disrupt the fragile ecosystem and endanger the natural habitat. Birder and environmentalist groups have argued that the university campus, particularly in West Bengaluru, serves as a critical lung space for the city. With parts of the campus already sacrificed for infrastructure development, opponents to the project view the skydeck as another blow to the city’s green spaces, which are rapidly diminishing in the face of urbanisation. The potential destruction of such an ecologically sensitive area has sparked a significant debate, with calls to preserve what little is left of Bengaluru’s natural heritage.

The opposition has not only come from environmentalists but also from faculty members, students, and even retired university professors. Many argue that the development of the skydeck would set a dangerous precedent for the university’s future, with concerns that more land could be converted for commercial or infrastructural purposes, undermining the educational and environmental mission of the institution. Meanwhile, BBMP officials continue to press ahead with their vision for the skydeck, citing the importance of urban tourism and the economic benefits it could bring to the region. Discussions regarding alternative models for the project have also been raised, with proposals including a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, where the construction and operation of the skydeck would be handed over to a private entity, or the possibility of a revenue-sharing agreement between BBMP and the university.

Despite the ongoing controversy, BBMP remains committed to making the skydeck a reality, claiming that it will not only serve as a major tourist destination but also provide essential infrastructure for the area. The skydeck is expected to offer unparalleled views of the city, a state-of-the-art visitor experience, and a new recreational space for both locals and tourists. The structure is seen as a significant part of the broader development plans for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Road corridor, which is expected to experience an influx of visitors and increased urban activity in the coming years.

BBMP selects Jnanabharathi campus for skydeck project to enhance tourism