Vidhana Soudha

The Vidhana Soudha, located in Bengaluru (Bangalore), is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes described as Mysore Neo-Dravidian, and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles. The construction was completed in 1956.

Construction History

Origin

Kengal Hanumanthaiah is credited with the conception and construction of the Vidhana Soudha. The foundation was laid by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, on 13 July 1951. However it was Kengal Hanumanthaiah who was instrumental in the redesign and speedy construction of Vidhana soudha. He visited Europe, Russia, United States and other places and got the idea of building Vidhana Soudha by incorporating various designs from the buildings he had seen. It was completed in 1956. Kengal Hanumanthaiah took a lot of interest and effort in building this marvelous granite building.

Design and Construction

The Vidhana Soudha has four floors above and one floor below ground level and sprawls across an area of 2,300 by 1,150 feet (700 m × 350 m). It is the largest Legislative building in India. Its eastern face has a porch with 12 granite columns, 40 feet (12 m) feet tall. Leading to the foyer is a flight of stairs with 45 steps, more than 200 feet (61 m) wide. The central dome, 60 feet (18 m) in diameter, is crowned by a likeness of the Indian national emblem. The front of the building is inscribed with the words Government's Work is God's Work.

The cost of construction at that time was just 17.5 million rupees. But presently, annual maintenance cost itself is more than 20 million rupees (which include repairs, painting, and other miscellaneous expenses).

The building is illuminated on Sundays and public holidays.

Security

Following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, concerns were raised about the security of vidhana soudha. The fencing near the footpath on all sides were replaced with a strong 10-foot high steel fencing. Consequently watch towers, upgraded scanning equipment, automated doors and thorough screening systems were installed.

Vikas Soudha

The Karnataka government has constructed a replica named Vikasa Soudha to the south of the building. Initiated by the then Chief Minister S M Krishna and inaugurated in February 2005, it is intended to be an annexe housing some of the ministries and legislative offices.

Location

It is located on Dr Ambedkar Rd, Seshadripuram. Opposite to Vidhana Soudha is The High Court of Karnataka. Both buildings are in the Cubbon park which is located near K.S.L.T.A (Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association).

Getting There

Nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL), an international airport serving the Indian city of Bangalore. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Devanahalli and is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the central business district of Bangalore, (30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Bangalore City Railway Station and covers 4,700 acres (1,900 ha).

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