A computer-generated image of the proposed office block

May 13: When you pass along the National Highway bypass at Borsojai a few years from now, chances are that a swanky shopping mall might tempt you to stop by.

The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will develop posh residential apartments, a shopping mall and office spaces at Borsojai with private sector investment of around Rs 150 crore.

This is the first project in the city where a state government agency will develop apartments, a mall and office spaces through public-private partnership.

The site identified for the project, nearly 7km from GS Road, is located along the National Highway 37 bypass at Borsojai.

An official source today said the GMDA has selected Simplex Infrastructures Limited, Calcutta, and Panna Pragati Infrastructure Private Limited, Guwahati, as its private partners for the project.

On the marketing strategy to be adopted for the project, the source said they had already conducted a study, which showed that the demand for residential space in the city had increased in Guwahati.

The study also revealed that there was more demand for retail and commercial space on GS Road whereas the proposed site was nearly 7km from there.

The source said they would market the residential and commercial space by contacting different government and private firms from India and abroad, NRIs, oil companies in the state and other northeastern states.

“A destination mall was proposed to attract people from faraway places to make the retail space a success. Simplex is negotiating with one of the famous marketing agencies in Calcutta to appoint a marketing agent for the proposed project,” he said.

To make the project attractive to prospective buyers, the source said they have engaged the international planning and architecture company, mADi GROUP Inc., which has its headquarters in California, to design the buildings.

“We want the buildings to become landmarks in the city,” the source said.

The project will have eight to 10 lakh square feet built-up area. A swimming pool and club house are included in the project.

The residential block will have around 300 high-end residential dwelling units and the office block will have at least 10 offices.

According to the official, the proposed mall can be compared to the best malls in the country with ample space for parking and other amenities.

The state government will provide the land but will not make any monetary investment in the project.

“The project, which is expected to be ready within the next couple of years, is likely to be a hit as the city is rapidly expanding towards Borsojai and beyond,” he said.

The GMDA has taken up the project after successfully marketing 700 flats of the National Games village.

“Of the 700 flats at the Games Village, 400 were purchased by individual buyers while 300 were procured by different government departments,” the source said.