NICE Road To Feature Bengaluru's Tallest Building: A 250-Metre Long Skydeck To Attract Tourists

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has announced plans for a 250-metre high skydeck near Bengaluru's NICE Road. It would be the tallest building of IT capital of India.

Shivakumar stated, "The Skydeck is one of the major projects that would draw tourists to Bengaluru. The massive structure requires 25 acres of land. We are planning to construct it near NICE road as all Bengaluru MLAs have agreed to it. The exact location is yet to be finalised."

Earlier, authorities shortlisted three potential sites for the skydeck project: Hemmigepura (near NICE road), the Jnana Bharathi campus, and Kommaghatta.

As per Hindustan Times report, the 25-acre site in Hemmigepura, currently managed by NICE, received broad approval from state cabinet members due to its panoramic view of the Turahalli Forest and its convenient location near NICE Road, with the Thalaghattapura Metro Station just five kilometres away.

The skydeck proposal has been developed by the design and architecture firm Coop Himmelb(l)au from Austria, in collaboration with the World Design Organisation (WDO) in Bengaluru.

Coop Himmelb(l)au is renowned for its work on projects such as the Musee des Confluences in Lyon, France, and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany.

The design of the skydeck is said to have drawn inspiration from the intricate algorithms that govern the natural growth of the banyan tree, including its sprawling branches, hanging roots, and blooming flowers.

The 250-metre tall structure will be divided into three parts — base, trunk, and blossom — and aims to provide visitors with a sense of being immersed in nature.

Once completed, the structure will offer visitors various entertainment and recreational facilities.

The base section will house amenities such as a shopping passage, restaurants, a theatre, and a sky garden.

The top portion will feature a rollercoaster station, an exhibition hall, a sky lobby, a skydeck for panoramic views, a restaurant and bar, and a VIP area.

In their presentation, the company stated, "The skywalk and rollercoaster are engineering marvels, suspended midair on a delicate network of tension cables extending from the tower's core, defying gravity."

However, there are concerns that the skydeck project could impact the development of a second airport in Bengaluru. Civil aviation authorities have reportedly objected to some of the proposed locations for the skydeck, raising potential conflicts with aviation plans.

As the city grapples with multitude of problems, the proposal for a 250-metre skydeck seems to miss the mark when it comes to addressing the city's immediate and pressing needs.

Prioritising the improvement of infrastructure, transportation, and urban planning should be the government's focus, rather than embarking on grandiose architectural ventures.

The city needs integrated planning, sustainable development, and better governance to reclaim its image as a thriving and well-managed metropolis.