By S.T. Ravikumar
Very soon, the Brindavan Gardens at the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam will attract thousands of tourists every day as it will be converted into a major tourist attraction, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. By further beautifying the garden, the State Government is hoping to double or treble the number of tourists.
On an average, over 10,000 tourists visit the KRS daily and the numbers see an increase during Dasara and peak tourism season. Once the beautification project is completed, the government is hoping to attract over 30,000 to 50,000 tourists per day.
An art work of the proposed statue of Goddess Cauvery that will be built at KRS Dam.
The Cauvery Neeravari Nigama (CNN) Limited had asked Jaipur-based Sincere Architects and Engineers Private Limited to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the beautification of Brindavan Gardens. Accordingly, the company prepared the DPR and it has been sent to the State Government for approval. The total project cost is Rs. 1,300 crore.
As per the DPR, the 69.82 acres land coming under Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited and 104 acres coming under Horticulture Department at the KRS will see a complete makeover. The DPR mentions that a 312-ft statue of Goddess Cauvery (River Cauvery is the water source for KRS) will be constructed with a base of 120 ft. Staircases will be built on the base so that tourists can climb the structure to see the statue from close range. They can also witness the scenic beauty of the place from that height.
Other works to be taken up as per the DPR are a statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who was instrumental in building the KRS Dam, a wide and attractive fountain, a boating pond, children’s park, Maharaja mantap, penguin park, doll museum, laser and light show, street park on the lines of Hoysala architecture, food court, architecture depicting historical monuments, botanical garden, aroma park, arch entry gates at the south and north entrance to the dam and a bonsai garden.
Along with international-level beautification works, the dam will have all the basic facilities including administrative office, ticket selling counters, waiting lounge for tourists, system control room, operating and technical staff quarters, art gallery in front of the garden, water sports, multi-level parking, health and fitness centre and security outposts.
The dam sketch.
The DPR includes an information centre to assist visitors, toilets, watch towers, museum, road widening from Paper Mill Circle to Brindavan Gardens, and a four-lane dedicated road from the south and north garden for men and women and battery-operated vehicles.
The existing Mughal Gardens will have more sections including exotic plants, medicinal plants, landscaping, and there will be un-interrupted power supply on all days and for this, an exclusive power station will be set up. Also, the facility to book online tickets will be made and a separate website will be commissioned.
Among the main attractions mentioned in the DPR to draw more crowds is the sound, light and laser show. The history of KRS Dam will be depicted through high-definition images and music. For this, modern equipment including digital data controller, aqua screen mixing, graphic art production and best show sound performance instrument will be used. For the show, 2-D and 3-D multiple fountain system, water filtration plant, digital control fountain and multimedia equipment will be used to take the visitor to a different world of art and music.
Officials from the CNN, in a power-point presentation, have briefed Chief Minister Siddharamaiah at his home office Krishna on Feb. 25. The DPR has estimated the cost to be around Rs. 1,300 crore and according to sources, the CM, along with officials from the Irrigation Department and the State Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia, watched the PPT and asked the officials to submit the proposal to the government for consideration.
Sources said that once the government clears the proposal, it will take at least two years to complete the works. [Pic. by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]
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