Date:16/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091659570400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Designer signage soon at NTR Gardens

HMDA invites ideas from experts on conceptual design

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Aesthetic appeal: The NTR Gardens is poised to don a new look with signage of international standards.

HYDERABAD: One of the major attractions for visitors both local and outsiders, the sprawling NTR Gardens in the city will boast of new signage of international standards across its 34 acre verdant spread.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has called for expression of interest from experts in the field to come out with ideas on dotting the gardens with new signage. The present signage were put in the year 2002 and most of them have ended up in a bad shape demanding the need for better replacement to go with the overall ambience that the place has on offer.

Map boards

“We have invited the experts for signage in different parts including the complexes, train and sections of the garden,” said Chandramohan Reddy, Officer on Special Duty, Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA). The new facility also includes two big map boards planned to give detailed plan of the gardens.

The authorities are expecting experienced developers to present their ideas on different aspects of signage and also the material they propose to use. “We are looking for international standards and once we have different options presented by developers and how they can be done, we will make the next move,” he said. The call is out for firms who have rendered similar services of providing garden signage, including their architectural design, fabrication and installation of international standards in the last five years. They have been asked to come up with design proposals including layout arrangements and conceptual design of signage to match with the surroundings and aesthetics of the park, colour code and styling apart from information on materials used for fabrication and installation arrangements proposed.

Budget estimate

An estimate on the budget needed for refurbishing the signage at the gardens, that found a mention in the National Geographic journal, was earlier made at Rs. 30 lakh, officials said.