Chandrashekar G/TNN
Bangalore, Jan 21: Bangalore is all set to have the world's tallest sky tower at Tippasandra near BDA's Anjanapura Layout. The proposed tower will scale 560 metres, beating the Canadian National Tower (553 metres) in Toronto.
The sky tower was earlier planned in Freedom Park on the old Central Jail premises, but was scrapped because it would have attracted a lot of tourists, leading to traffic problems.
The proposed tower will be built to boost communications, tourism and commercial activities. It will be a major landmark in the southern part of the city.
A special feature of the tower is that it will be a major revenue earner for the BBMP. With a microwave dish platform at an altitude of 410 metres, the tower will enhance overseas and inter-departmental communications of government organizations like the Railways, All India Radio (AIR), police and Doordarshan.
Four floors will be earmarked for these organizations.
This apart, four floors will be set aside for private telecom giants, who will set up their infrastructure.
The floor diameter at 350 metres serves as a microwave disc platform to facilitate live telecast of major events within a radius of 100 km. Visitors can get a bird's eye view of Bangalore from here.
A major attraction of the tower will be a revolving restaurant and a cafeteria at 360 metres and 370 metres, respectively.
Architect and designer of the tower H R Vishwanath, former principal of BMS College of Engineering, told The Times of India: "Solar energy will be tapped with the help of solar cells installed at a height of 410 metres. Air navigational lights will be fitted at a height of 560 metres. The tower provides space for exhibiting the cultures and traditions of each of the states in the country."
He was instrumental in constructing the Delhi TV tower, and said the tower would be completed within two years from the date of commencement of work.
The project will be handled on the public-private-partnership model at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore.
Nearly 5.2 acres of land have been sanctioned by former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. The blueprint of the tower is with the BBMP. It has to be sent to the government for approval.