Belagavi to develop British era Vaccine Depot Institute to attract Goans
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
In a bid to attract Goan tourists in search of lush green parks, authorities here will develop the historic British-era Vaccine Depot Institute (VDI) as a tourist spot.
Spread across 156 acres, Karnataka government will also be setting up a herbal medicinal park.
Popularly identified as ‘lungs of Belagavi city’ due to the rich flora and fauna and heritage structures, the Depot is located a kilometre from the first railway gate at Tilakwadi.
Briefing media persons, City Commissioner Shashidhar Kurer, who also holds the additional charge as Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA), said the administration is planning to develop Vaccine Depot Institute (VDI) as a heritage park at a cost of Rs 30 crore under the Smart City project.
The process to call for tenders will begin soon and the detailed project report is expected to be prepared within eight months.
“During the Winter Session of the state legislative in Belagavi, Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh held a meeting with senior officials and chalked out plans to develop the area,” Kurer said.
“The entire 156 acres come under the health department. While Rs 25 crore will be spent under the Smart City project, the Ayush department will contribute the remaining cost of Rs 5 crore,” he informed.
He said priority will be given to conserve the natural environment and the already existing heritage structures. Besides, more fruit-bearing trees will come up to provide natural habitat for birds.
“The Ayush department is planning to plant medicinal and aesthetic saplings,” he said adding that the area will be made public-friendly without harming its originality and converted into a tourism spot.
“Apart from locals, our main focus would be to attract Goan tourists who visit the city in large numbers,” Kurer said.
Apart from various sculptures, kiosks with natural materials, amphitheater, landscapes, hanging bridges, glasshouse with rainwater harvesting system, art gallery museum, food courts, bicycle and walking tracks to reach all the corners will be the specialties as per the plan.
