23 November,2014 07:09 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
MMRDA has invited bids from private companies for the development of Bandra Kurla Complex. High-speed WiFi facilities, solar-powered street lights and better parking facilities are some of the features planned as part of the Smart BKC project
The Bandra Kurla Complex
If Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has its way, by March 2015, you will walk into Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and be greeted with WiFi connectivity, solar-powered street lights, CCTV cameras and better parking spaces. Under their Smart BKC project, the MMRDA has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from private companies and bidders. Post that, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be invited and the contract will be awarded to an eligible bidder. The last date for submission of the EoI is December 1, 2014.
The Bandra Kurla Complex is all set for a makeover under the Smart BKC project. File Photo
Street smart
With its proximity to the airport and a number of banks in the vicinity, BKC provides jobs to more than two lakh people. It was developed by MMRDA to create a state-of-the-art financial and business hub. According to the officials, the complex is being developed to decongest and decentralise further concentration of offices and commercial activities in South Mumbai.
An official from MMRDA told sunday mid-day, "The authority has developed 19 hectares of land (E Block) with the presence of prominent institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, Income Tax, Sales Tax, Provident Fund and many other corporate and commercial establishments. Together, these buildings offer an office space as large as 160 hectares. Developing BKC as a smart city will only add on to the features, thus making it a smart city. Many bidders have shown interest in the Smart BKC project."
The planning authority is yet to decide whether it will implement the project on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) - a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract - or on any other model.
Smart stat
22,500: The area in square metres used to develop an urban plaza and park named City Park in
Bandra Kurla Complex
