Chikkamagaluru: Construction of Aranya Bhavan, a ₹9.80 crore project aimed at bringing various Forest Department offices in Chikkamagaluru under one roof, is nearing completion.
MLC Dr. Ravi C.T., who inspected the building and reviewed the progress, directed officials to make necessary minor adjustments during the final phase of construction. While appreciating the building’s exterior design, he asked them to identify improvements required in the interiors and ensure the remaining work was completed efficiently.
The project was conceived to consolidate Forest Department offices that were previously functioning from different locations across the city, improving coordination and convenience for staff and the public.
Technical approval for the project was granted on October 29, 2022, while construction began after the work order was issued on February 23, 2023.
Green surroundings planned to reflect forest environment
Ravi said several development projects were prioritised in Chikkamagaluru between 2018 and 2023, keeping the city’s future requirements in mind. These included the deputy commissioner’s office complex, a travellers’ bungalow, a court complex and residential schools. Grants were also sanctioned for Dr B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan and Jagjivan Ram Bhavan, he said.
Aranya Bhavan is part of the broader effort to improve civic infrastructure and bring government offices together in well-organised facilities.
During the inspection, the MLC instructed officials to plant saplings and develop trees and greenery across the building premises. He said the surroundings should create an eco-friendly atmosphere, giving visitors the feeling of entering a forest.
He also stressed that the remaining construction work should meet quality standards and that the building should be designed to ensure convenience for Forest Department employees.
