Bengaluru’s New Government Electrical Factory to be transformed into tree park: Karnataka Minister

The Karnataka High Court, in 2017, had ordered the state government to enumerate the number of trees inside the factory.

"The park will have a walkway, food court, children's playground, outdoor gym, fountains, and a watchtower. The development will happen in stages,” M B Patil said. (File)

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Karnataka Industries Minister M B Patil Tuesday announced the transformation of New Government Electrical Factory (NGEF) located near Byappanahalli metro station in Bengaluru into a tree park. The project is set to cost more than Rs 30 crore.

“The planned park, near the Byappanahalli metro station in Bengaluru, will cost over Rs 30 crore. This park will give the city much-needed green space. The park will have a walkway, food court, children’s playground, outdoor gym, fountains, and a watchtower. The development will happen in stages,” Patil said.

The Karnataka High Court, in 2017, had ordered the state government to enumerate the number of trees inside the factory. Acting on the order, the Bengaluru (South) sub-division of the Forest Department conducted a tree census, and informed the government that there were approximately 44,720 trees of 18 species within the premises. Over 70 percent of the factory’s space is covered with trees. Based on the number of trees found in the campus, the department suggested the state government to declare the area as a deemed forest.

“The NGEF was shut down in 2000. The campus, today, houses several trees. There were instances of smuggling of sandalwood trees from the factory’s campus after its closure. We have found 44,720 trees inside the campus. Rather than having a tree park, a deemed forest would have served the purpose of ecology,” a senior forest official said, requesting anonymity.