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MG Road boulevard of Bangalore
will be ready by March |
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MG Road's famous bougainvillea boulevard will take some time to be unveiled. With storm water drain work on in the area where the old boulevard ran, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation(BMRC) has promised to present the reconstructed stretch by February-March 2012.
The new-look two-tier walkway will be connected to the concourse of the MG Road Metro Station . The blueprint also makes space for a 152-seat amphitheatre where talent shows, street plays and local artistes' performances can be held. With a mini gallery to showcase art pieces and Kannada cultural heirlooms, and a small museum with fountains and landscaped areas, the place promises to turn into a culture plaza. For parents coming with little ones in tow, an exclusive children's play area with swings and slides will keep them entertained.
The two-tier walkway will have benches and connectivity to the ground floor as well as the Metro station . Three ramps will go towards Manekshaw Parade Grounds boundary wall, two each at the ends of the boulevard stretch and one at the centre between the gallery and children's area. For all those whose hearts bled at the sight of huge, lovely trees being axed on MG Road four years ago, there's a surprise is store. BMRC plans to plant flowering trees like jacaranda, gulmohar , copper pod, pink tabebuia, java cassia and tree of gold. These trees will cover the elevated viaduct and cemented structures around. The horticulture department is in consultation with BMRC on the landscaping.
BMRC has budgeted for Rs 6 crore, and the project was entrusted to Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation and Karnataka Land Army, after no contractor applied for the tender. Once the underground storm water drain construction is ready, work on landscaping and walkway construction will begin.
The old boulevard, which was nearly three decades old, was a talking point for its walkway and vantage view of MG Road. The new one promises to be better with many more value additions.
BMRC managing director N Sivasailam said work was under progress. "We are not aware of BBMP's proposal to build a parking lot," he said.
Source: TNN, Nov 8, 2011
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