India’s first ‘Smart Mall’ coming to smart city of Bhopal

A ‘smart mall’ is being planned for the city of Bhopal, one of 100 “smart cities” being developed by the government of India.

Capital Mall is being refitted to offer 100 per cent 4G-internet connectivity to all customers; a cashless parking management system; a 40,000sqft 4D digital experience designed by a British firm; and digital ambient lighting with lumen sensors. Visitors will be able to navigate the mall with the help of a downloadable app, which will also alert customers about discounts and special offers.

Capital Malls MD Mukesh Kumar said the mall was being designed to match the expectations of today’s “smart customers”, and said the initiative would put Bhopal on the national map despite it being only a tier II city.

Mall management firm Beyond Squarefeet’s chief mall mechanic Susil Dungarwal said: “While the mall owners are putting in all efforts in converting it into a ‘smart mall’, we are working on creating a smart retail mix and experience for the interior. We have already tied up with various national and international retailers, most of whom will be in Bhopal for the first time. Our focus is to create a unique tenant mix and category mix, which will add to the unique selling point of the mall.”

The mall covers 500,000sqft of gross leasable area and is situated on Bhopal’s Main Hoshangabad Road in the suburb of Misrod.