Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation to rent out terrace space of TTMCs for hotels, gyms and other commercial establishments

Bengaluru: Bus stations in the city could soon turn into lively hubs with shops, eateries and other public amenities as the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation moves to monetise rooftop spaces at key transit hubs to boost non-fare revenue.The corporation has floated tenders to lease terrace areas at Shanthinagar TTMC and Vijayanagar TTMC, opening the door for restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, gyms, clinics and coaching centres to operate above busy bus stations. At Shanthinagar, about 20,097 sqft of rooftop area was available, while Vijayanagar TTMC had 20,976 sqft on offer.Shantinagar TTMC has been operational since 2010. The TTMC housed multiple govt offices, commercial establishments and parking lots and others. Vijayanagar TTMC was inaugurated in 2011. Both the TTMCs were built under the JNNRUM scheme. More than Rs 160 crore was spent on building them.The corporation fixed the licence fee at Rs 6.8 lakh per month (including GST) for Shanthinagar and Rs 7.5 lakh per month (including GST) for Vijayanagar.The initial licence period is for three years, extendable by another three years on mutual consent. The successful bidder has to remit 11 months of the offered licence fee as a security deposit. A three-month rent-free gestation period will be provided for development of the space.The BMTC has permitted over 15 activities, including retail outlets, supermarkets, veg and non-veg restaurants, cafes and bakeries, tuition and coaching centres, gyms, clinics, pharmacies, showrooms, multiplexes, game zones, dormitories and sports facilities without liquor service.However, hazardous industries, liquor sales, slaughterhouses, automotive workshops, heavy storage, data centres with high cooling loads and polluting or noisy industrial activities were strictly prohibited. The terraces will be handed over on an as-is-where-is basis. Licensees have to obtain all statutory approvals, including building plan sanctions, fire safety clearance and occupancy certificates, before commencing operations. Structural alterations without prior approval are not permitted, and all works have to comply with municipal bylaws and safety norms.