Mangalore: 375ft-tall, 35-storeyed flats project off to a colourful start

Mangalore, December 15: 'Planet SKS', the tallest skyscraper of Mangalore, which is expected to be ready by 2014 on 4.25 acres of plot across the lush green landscape of Kadri Park, was launched at a colourful event on Wednesday evening.

Mrs Susheela Shetty, Mrs Leelavathi Hegde and Mrs Vimala Shetty, mothers of three directors of SKS Netgate Pvt Ltd, the promoters, symbolically launched the prestigious project in the presence of a galaxy of dignitaries.

K Prabhakar Bhat, RSS leader and Convener of Sri Rama Vidya Kendra Kalladka formally inaugurated the programme through lighting of the lamp.

Wishing all the success for the promoters on the occasion, Mr Bhat said he is eager to see the tallest building of the city, which is sure to change the skyline of Mangalore.

He said that it is a matter of pride that a group of entrepreneurs from the district have initiated such a great project in the city.

At the same time Bhat urged the promoters to take all the measures to preserve and promote the culture and religion of Thulunadu, which according to him was in danger due to the onslaught of foreign culture.

Shashi Kiran Shetty, chairman and managing firector of SKS Netgate Pvt Ltd, said that it was his childhood dream to build great buildings in Mangalore, and expressed happiness that the dream was now coming true.

Arathi S Shetty, Adarsh Hegde, Umesh Shetty and Santh Kumar Shetty-all four directors of SKS Netgate Pvt Ltd, Mr. Susir Kumar, CEO & MD, Intelnet Global Services; Mr. Krishna J Palemar, Minister for Ecology, Environment, Port and Inland Water Transport; Mr. Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, Mangalore Constituency; Mr. N Yogish Bhat, MLA, Mangalore South; Mrs Rajani Dugganna, Mayor, MCC, Mr. Alok Mohan IPS, Inspector General of Police, Western Range; Mr. Subodh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada; Mr. Seemanth Kumar Singh IPS, Commissioner of Police, Mangalore City, Mr. Jayananda Anchan, Corporator, Mr. K C Naik, President, Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India, Mangalore Chapter; and Mr. Ranga Pai, President, Builders' Association of India, Mangalore Chapter were among those present.

Landmark building

According to the promoters, the 35-storeyed 375-foot tall luxury residential building 'Planet SKS' will house as many as 484 three-bedroom and four-bedroom flats. This is expected to be the city's first building to have rooftop helipad.

This Rs 150-crore building was coming up on 4.25 acres of land off the National Highway No 17. At present, the tallest building in the city is the 23-storeyed “K2” in Falnir, which is 200-ft tall.

The first 25 floors of the Planet SKS will have three-bedroom flats, while the 26th to 35th floors will have four-bedroom flats with each of the flats having a 'lap' pool. The three-bedroom flats are 3,300 square feet each while the four-bedroom flats are 6,600 square feet.

While the three wings of the building would come up on the 7 lakh square feet of land, about three acres of land had been earmarked for landscaping.

It would have four-floored covered car park area which would accommodate about 450 cars, including 30 vehicles of visitors. There would be a 30-foot waterfall using recycled water.

The building would have a separate sewerage treatment plant and there would be use of LED lights. The building would go in for rainwater harvesting.