With the second edition of the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) all ready to roll, the BBMP has set its sights on getting foreign investment for infrastructure in the city. As many as 12 projects have been lined up for the public, private partnership (PPP) module, which could see investors plough in over `1,057 crore into the city. Building of skywalks with escalators at various spots in Bengaluru to help pedestrians cross busy roads and constructing abattoirs are on its list of projects for foreign investment. The civic agency has floated a Registration Of Interest (ROI) for converting municipal solid waste into energy through water based segregation followed by anaerobic digestion at a plant on 19 acres of land in Kannahalli near Magadi Road and has also drawn up a project for converting municipal solid waste into Grade 2 low sulphur diesel (aviation fuel, jet fuel and diesel for automotive use). A green waste/kitchen waste collection and management centre in the city is on the cards too through a joint venture.
The Bengaluru Development Authority has extensive plans as well to ease congestion in the city with the help of foreign investors. On offer for investment are the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, encompassing the outer ring road, the elevated road from Benniganahalli near the Namma Metro’s integrated transport hub to Mekhri Circle and between Vellara Junction and Varthur Kodi, and housing projects at the Arkavathi layout. As far as the PRR is concerned the authority plans to work out the modalities and financial aspects of the project depending on the feedback from the interested company, according to sources. Investors will be encouraged to provide monetary compensation too, they add. The BDA reportedly hopes that housing in the Arkavathi layout with its good transportation network will prove a hit at the GIM.
The BMRC is meawhile inviting investors for phase 2 of Namma Metro, stretching from IIM(B) to Nagawara with 18 stations enroute and R.V. Road to Bommasandra with 16 stations enroute, specifically in the area of systems and operations. Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry president, J.R. Bangera, feels that while Bengaluru cannot play host to major industries any more for want of land, it can look for growth in research and development, aerospace and biotechnology. “The brain power resource is available in abundance and can be made use of,” he observes.