Kolkata to get dedicated jewellery shopping mall by ’04  ( July '15,2003, BS)

The Fort Group of Kolkata is all set replicate Fort Knox, not for the government, but for the masses.

To be built at an investment of Rs 20 crore at the heart of the city, Kolkata’s Fort Knox will be a one stop destination for the buyers and sellers to satisfy all requirements relating to gems, jewellery and precious metals.

“Fort Knox is where the Federal government of United States keeps its entire gold reserves. A place famous for two reasons — its intense security arrangement and precious contents”, the promoters said at a media briefing on Sunday.

Designed by Espace, Fort Knox would be jewellery mall spread over nine stories citadel. Its promoters said it would be the first jewellery mall of in eastern India and among the first few in India.

The complex would house the most modern and contemporary concepts in conducting business in gems, bullion and jewellery. The design would be state of the art and foreign businessmen would feel at home, said its builders.

Security measures at the complex will include multi-sensor alarm system with instant links to the police headquarters and fire service, provision for instant and simultaneous closure of shop doors and main doors or building and complex and parallel sensors to trigger instant alarms in case of attempts to break into showrooms or glass enclosures.

The building will also feature closed circuit TV cameras throughout the building for 24-hours monitoring, armed security guards, and CC TV connection between office and showrooms.

Keeping in mind customer security customers will exit through the rear of the buildings directly into a secured area housing their cars, thus minimising the risk of stepping out through the front door into a public street.

The project was supported by the Gems and Jewellery Exporters Association. The would soon launch roadshows to woo jewellers from different parts of the country.

The nine storied building will showcase an amalgamation of international as well as domestic brands under the same roof.

“Kolkata being the third largest retail market in India provides immense possibilities to both craftsman as well as retailers as far as the project is concerned,” said Pankaj Parekh, the convenor of Eastern Gold Jewellery Council.

The Fort Group is a large real estate promoters and developers of the city.

The group would aim to open Fort Knox to the public by September 2004. By then, the gems, bullion and jewellery sector industrial complex called Manikanchan being executed by the government of West Bengal in Kolkata was also expected to be substantially completed.