It isn’t just private developers that threaten the dwindling green cover of the city. The lung spaces have come in the cross hairs of the BBMP, which has drawn up ambitious “development” plans.
This is evident in the redevelopment of the Lakshman Rau Boulevard, near South End Circle in Jayanagar.
As per the ambitious plans of local councillor N.R. Ramesh, who is also the Ruling Party Leader in BBMP council, a stretch of the boulevard will be renamed as ‘Ranadheera Kanteerava Vyayama Udyanavana’ and will have an open gym, seven statues of kings from different dynasties that ruled in Karnataka, an 18-ft high fountain, apart from a badminton academy with parking facility for 200 two-wheelers and 50 cars.
Mr. Ramesh said three acres will be developed as a park, while the badminton academy will come up on 1.25 acres.
He said a 12-ft tall statue of River Cauvery will be installed, along with an entrance plaza with two 17-ft high pillars on either side with the emblem of Hoysala Dynasty.
The estimated cost of this development is Rs. 3.5 crore and the developed park is expected to be inaugurated in April.
Incidentally, the boulevard had also been encroached upon by a temple. The construction activity on the academy and fountain is brisk.
‘Blatant violation’
Green activist Leo Saldanha said this was blatant violation of the Karnataka Parks, Play-fields and Open Spaces (Preservation and Regulation) Act, 1985 and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961. He said any construction activity in a park is illegal and this has also been upheld by the High Court of Karnataka. He urged the government and BBMP to ensure that the construction activity is stopped.
BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayan admitted that any construction activity inside a park was illegal and that he would direct officials of the civic body’s south zone to ensure that it is stopped. “I will urge the councillor to identify a different space for the academy and make efforts to safeguard green spaces in the city,” he added.
