BMTC plans high-street makeover for bus stations, rooftops to host cafes, shops and clinics

Bengaluru’s key TTMC hubs at Shanthinagar and Vijayanagar to get restaurants, retail and public facilities as BMTC moves to monetise terrace spaces to boost non-fare revenue.

In a major move to transform city bus stations into vibrant public hubs, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has floated tenders to lease out rooftop spaces at two of its busiest transit terminals, Shanthinagar TTMC and Vijayanagar TTMC. The initiative aims to significantly increase non-fare revenue while improving passenger convenience.

Under the proposal, terrace areas at both TTMCs will be developed into commercial and public-use spaces, allowing the operation of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, supermarkets, gyms, clinics, coaching centres, pharmacies, showrooms, multiplexes, game zones, dormitories and sports facilities, excluding liquor services. In total, over 15 types of activities have been permitted.

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At Shanthinagar TTMC, 20,097 sq ft of rooftop area has been offered, while Vijayanagar TTMC has 20,976 sq ft available for development. The licence fee has been fixed at ₹6.8 lakh per month (including GST) for Shanthinagar and ₹7.5 lakh per month (including GST) for Vijayanagar. The initial lease period is three years, with a provision to extend it by another three years through mutual agreement. The selected bidder must deposit 11 months of licence fee as security.

To support development, a three-month rent-free gestation period has been provided. However, the terraces will be handed over on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis, and operators will be required to secure all statutory approvals, including building plan sanctions, fire safety clearance, and occupancy certificates, before starting operations. Structural changes are allowed only with prior approval and must strictly comply with municipal bylaws and safety norms.

Several activities have been strictly prohibited, including hazardous industries, liquor sales, slaughterhouses, automobile workshops, heavy storage facilities, polluting or noisy industries, and data centres with high cooling requirements.

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Shanthinagar TTMC, operational since 2010, and Vijayanagar TTMC, inaugurated in 2011, were built under the JNNURM scheme, with a combined investment of over ₹160 crore. These complexes currently house government offices, commercial units, parking facilities, and transport services.