Vokkaligara Bhavan to be razed
One of the oldest buildings in Bangalore’s central business district (CBD) is all set to get a new face. The Vokkaliga community has decided to demolish the Vokkaligara Bhavan, located adjacent to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office. The Bhavan is being replaced by a super speciality hospital.
The present building which houses the Bhavan was constructed around 35 years back on land leased from BBMP. The entire building consists of 8 floors and has been rented out to Punjab National Bank, the Excise Department, and other tenants. A fortnight ago, the Vokkaligara Sangha issued notices to its tenants to vacate the premises within three months.
Already, the second and third floors have been vacated. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Vokkaligara Sangha president Appaji Gowda confirmed the move and said the association will initiate construction activities once tenants vacate the building. Sangha general secretary M Nagaraj said, “Around three months back, board members decided to look into the Bhavan matter which was lying neglected. Since the building was constructed, it has not been maintained properly. Our predecessors did not give any importance to the building. It is in such a dilapidated condition that no one even loves to walk inside it. It was about time we started work on its revamp.”
“As the area falls under CBD, we will be getting good floor area ratio (FAR). Visitor parking will be given priority. We will construct from two or three floors below ground level, which can be used as basement parking. The rest can be devoted to the hospital,” Nagaraj said.
“All these years, the Bhavan was used for renting. But now we want to serve society at large. Not only Vokkaligas, all will benefit from the hospital. We will shortly call a meeting of all tenants, and ask them to vacate the building by September. Those who don’t comply will face legal action,” he said.
BBMP’s additional director Chowde Gowda said, “The Vokkaligara Sangha can take up construction after demolition of the existing building. The building is still in the Sangha’s custody as the lease period is for 99 years. They can make use of FAR and even transfer of development rights (TDR) to take it as high as they want.”
The present building which houses the Bhavan was constructed around 35 years back on land leased from BBMP. The entire building consists of 8 floors and has been rented out to Punjab National Bank, the Excise Department, and other tenants. A fortnight ago, the Vokkaligara Sangha issued notices to its tenants to vacate the premises within three months.
Already, the second and third floors have been vacated. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Vokkaligara Sangha president Appaji Gowda confirmed the move and said the association will initiate construction activities once tenants vacate the building. Sangha general secretary M Nagaraj said, “Around three months back, board members decided to look into the Bhavan matter which was lying neglected. Since the building was constructed, it has not been maintained properly. Our predecessors did not give any importance to the building. It is in such a dilapidated condition that no one even loves to walk inside it. It was about time we started work on its revamp.”
He added, “Board members are firm on demolition of the property which will be converted into a super speciality hospital. Though we are yet to estimate the cost of construction, we have to follow the norms of BBMP.”
“As the area falls under CBD, we will be getting good floor area ratio (FAR). Visitor parking will be given priority. We will construct from two or three floors below ground level, which can be used as basement parking. The rest can be devoted to the hospital,” Nagaraj said.
“All these years, the Bhavan was used for renting. But now we want to serve society at large. Not only Vokkaligas, all will benefit from the hospital. We will shortly call a meeting of all tenants, and ask them to vacate the building by September. Those who don’t comply will face legal action,” he said.
BBMP’s additional director Chowde Gowda said, “The Vokkaligara Sangha can take up construction after demolition of the existing building. The building is still in the Sangha’s custody as the lease period is for 99 years. They can make use of FAR and even transfer of development rights (TDR) to take it as high as they want.”
