No response to BTM’s plea to restore park

Months of following up has not restored their park. They continue to be troubled by increased traffic, thanks to the new link road.

Residents of KEB Layout in BTM 1st stage have been petitioning BBMP about a public park that was demolished to benefit a private party. Citizen Matters had reported the issue in October 22 issue.

BBMP demolished the play area in KEB layout park to build a road through it, in 2009. Pic: Navya P K

BBMP had built the road through the only park here to facilitate traffic to a Sai Baba temple nearby, violating laws that mandate park protection. This also led to severe congestion by vehicles parking in inner roads of the layout.

But BBMP is not swayed, even after receiving residents’ petitions and letters from Dr Shalini Rajneesh, state Secretary for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

In December, Shalini had written to BBMP Commissioner, pointing out that the road had destroyed the park and caused public nuisance. Besides, the temple, which benefits from the road, stood on BDA-allotted land while violating the terms of land lease says Shalini in her letter.

Residents filed separate petition with BBMP, with a copy of Shalini’s letter. "After a few days and many repeated calls, BBMP told us that they had not received our petition. We chased across many offices and found the concerned Assistant Engineer (Jayangar East), R Benakesha," says Umesh P N, Secretary of KEB Layout RWA.

Benakesha says that he had submitted the report to Jayanagar AEE Annegowda, who forwarded it to higher officials including A B Hemachandra, Joint Commissioner (South), who is in charge of entire South zone. The report reiterates that the road was built to ease traffic to Sai Baba temple on the directions of Jayangar MLA B N Vijayakumar, and seeks directions from higher officials for further action. Citizen Matters has a copy of the report. In mid-February, Dr Shalini again intervened on residents’ request, after which BBMP Commissioner’s office asked Hemachandra to take action.

But on Citizen Matters’ enquiry, both Hemachandra and Chief Engineer M C Prakash seemed unaware of the issue itself. Prakash later said that the issue had been referred to a junior officer. Dr Shalini says that she has not got any response from BBMP either and that she will take it up with BBMP again.

MLA Vijayakumar says that he will not interfere in the issue again. "The fight is between BBMP and residents now. Hundreds of vehicles going to the temple use that road; how can it be removed now? Also, only 10-15 houses are affected."

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Fishers of Thiruvanmiyur Kuppam: Aborigines of the coast, not ‘Beach Grabbers’

Fishers of Thiruvanmiyur Kuppam challenge claims of encroachment, defending their long-standing rights amid coastal development.

The dispute between the fishermen and the more affluent, non-fishing residents of Thiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar has simmered for years, highlighting tensions over land use, development, and livelihoods. Acting upon the complaint from the residents (non-fishers) in the locality, the GCC demolished the temporary constructions made by the fishers of Thiruvanmiyur Kuppam in June this year. Being less than 40 metres from the coastline, they were termed encroachments. A mainstream news outlet even referred to fishers' construction as ‘beach robbery,’ emphasising concerns that the illegal construction of houses and pathways could lead to the loss of turtle nesting sites and…

Similar Story

Bellandur Lake rejuvenation: An urgent call for action

Citizens have strongly disapproved the slow progress on Bellandur Lake's rejuvenation project. Immediate intervention is needed to avoid failure.

Bellandur Lake, Bengaluru’s largest water body, has been at the heart of an ambitious rejuvenation project since 2020. However, persistent delays, severe funding shortages, and inadequate planning have left citizens increasingly frustrated. Time is slipping away, and without immediate government intervention, this critical environmental project risks failing. A recent meeting with government bodies shed light on the project’s stagnation and the urgent steps required to salvage it. Progress so far Desilting Work: Of the estimated 32.33 lakh cubic meters of silt, 22.69 lakh cubic meters (70%) have been removed, leaving 30% unfinished Early monsoons and slushy conditions have delayed progress…