Page 31 - Construction_Opportunities_July_2026

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PRAYAGRAJ SMART CITY BEGINS INFRASTRUCTURE
UPGRADE OF BHARADWAJ PARK.
Bharadwaj Park, one of Prayagraj’s oldest and most prominent
public parks, is set for a major facelift after its management was CONSTRUCTION
transferred from the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) to
Prayagraj Smart City Limited (PSCL).
The civic body has entrusted the operation and maintenance
of the nearly five-acre park to the Smart City agency, which has
begun work on introducing modern amenities and upgrading
existing infrastructure, including plans for a cafeteria.
Officials said tenders have been floated for setting up the
cafeteria, landscaping, beautification works, improved lighting
and other infrastructure enhancements. The day-to-day upkeep
of the park will be managed by a private agency under the
supervision of Prayagraj Smart City Limited.
Located at Balson Crossing near Anand Bhawan, Bharadwaj
Park has long been a popular recreational destination for LULU GROUP EYES CENTRAL KERALA EXPANSION WITH
morning walkers, children and families. The park underwent a NEW HYPERMARKET IN KOTTAYAM.
major renovation ahead of the Kumbh 2019 as part of the city’s Lulu Group has announced plans to expand its footprint in central
infrastructure development programme. Following the makeover, Kerala with the launch of its second hypermarket in Kottayam at
it was handed over to a private agency under the public-private the upcoming KGA Mall in Changanassery.
partnership (PPP) model. However, the contract ended last year, The retail major has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with KGA Group to
leading to maintenance challenges. establish a 50,000 sq. ft. hypermarket at the mall. The agreement
Municipal officials said regular monitoring became difficult after was signed by Joy Shadanandan, Director, Thiruvananthapuram
the contract expired, while the park also faced issues related to and Tamil Nadu Region, Lulu Group India, and Eapen K.C., Chief
electricity dues and supply disruptions. Executive Officer and Director, KGA Group, in the presence of
A key attraction at the park is the towering statue of Maharishi Yusuffali M.A., Chairman of Lulu Group, and K.G. Abraham,
Bharadwaj, one of Prayagraj’s revered ancient sages, which was Chairman and Managing Director, KGA Group.
installed during the 2019 Kumbh. The statue has since become a The proposed hypermarket is expected to enhance Lulu Group’s
prominent city landmark and draws visitors throughout the year. retail presence in central Kerala by bringing its range of products
Volunteers from Shri Satya Seva Samiti, Prayagraj, have been and services closer to customers in Kottayam and neighbouring
cleaning and maintaining the statue every second Sunday since districts.
its installation. The organisation has also installed a water cooler at The project is also expected to generate more than 550 direct and
the park entrance and continues to oversee its upkeep. indirect employment opportunities, the companies said.
Officials said the proposed upgrades aim to transform Bharadwaj
Park into a better-maintained recreational space while preserving VEDAANTA SENIOR LIVING PLANS MAJOR EXPANSION
its heritage value and green character. The Smart City-led initiative DRIVE WITH `800 CRORE INVESTMENT ROADMAP.
is expected to enhance visitor facilities and ensure sustainable Bengaluru-based Vedaanta Senior Living is planning an
maintenance through professional management. investment of `800 crore over the next three years to nearly
double its presence across South India, driven by rising demand
for organised retirement communities.
The senior living company currently operates 11 active
communities housing around 1,000 families. It aims to expand this
network to 24 active communities with capacity to accommodate
2,500 families by 2029.
Of the planned investment, around `450 crore will be allocated to
Tamil Nadu, `200 crore to Kerala, and the remaining amount will
be invested across Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, KB
Babu, Director – Services, Vedaanta Senior Living, told businessline.
As part of its next phase of growth, the company is also evaluating
strategic external capital to accelerate expansion and strengthen
its presence across South India, Babu said.
Vedaanta Senior Living has invested around `450 crore in the
senior living segment over the past 11 years, he added. The
company is looking to capitalise on the growing preference for
professionally managed retirement communities as demand for
senior care infrastructure increases.

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