The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to construct nine towers on the outskirts of the city.

These towers will be the replicas of historical structures built nearly five centuries ago by Kempegowda who is regarded as the founder of Bangalore.

The civic body plans to build the towers at prominent landmarks, including the Bangalore International Airport near Devanahalli.

Kempegowda had built four towers --- located near Mekhri Circle Underpass, Kempambudhi Lake in Hanumanthanagar, Lalbagh and Ulsoor Lake --- to mark the city’s limits during his reign. These towers are now in the heart of the city showing Bangalore’s frenetic growth over the years.

Bangalore is spread across 840 sq km after the BBMP’s formation in 2007.

Mayor B S Sathyanarayana said the nine towers will be built and maintained by private sponsors.

“This will not be a burden on the BBMP. We will allow the sponsors to put their nameboards in one corner. For those coming from other places, the towers will act as feel good factor. As Bangalore was built by Kempegowda, we chose to build his towers at the city’s new entry points,” he said.

The Mayor explained councillors and officials would inspect the proposed locations. He revealed that the BBMP had written to prospective sponsors, including major builders and added that some of whom had already responded positively.

The sponsors would be allowed to develop parks near the towers, he stated.

Not surprisingly, the proposal has attracted criticism about misplaced priorities from councillors of the Congress party.

“It is hilarious that the ruling party in the council is planning to construct such towers as welcome arches for outsiders. They should note once these outsiders enter the city, they will see the potholes on roads and know the reality. It is the BBMP’s duty to ensure pothole-free roads than decorate the entrances of the city,” a senior Congress councillor said.

However, the councillor, who wished to stay anonymous, pointed out the party was not opposed to commemorating Kempegowda’s work.

“In fact, such decorative entrance towers, which will connect to bad roads, will be an insult to Kempegowda,” he remarked.