Deccan Chronicle 21.12.2010
Builder gets park land, state culprit?
December 21st, 2010
Dec. 20: After the denotification fiasco, the state
government is now embroiled in approving change of land use. A stretch
of land which was earmarked for a park and playground, has been changed
to benefit a builder in violation of Revised Master Plan (RMP) — 2015.
According to the RMP, Binnypet’s municipal survey number 1
and city survey number 2,699/1 a stretch of 22,123 sq mt of land had
been allotted for a park and open space.
According to the copy of the document available with
Deccan Chronicle, the government effected change of land use from open
space to commercial and residential purpose, at this prime locality.
Various public organisations have been fighting vehemently for retaining
open spaces in the public interest. However, following a request from
ETA builder, the government has ignored the public interest and effected
the change of land use. How can the government and BDA effect change of
land use from land that has been earmarked for civic amenity purposes
like playground and park, questioned RTI activist S. Amaresh. “Since
Binnypet is part of old Bengaluru, the BDA should have handed over the
land to the BBMP for maintenance. The vacant land was used as a
playground by the residents of the area and the Binny mill people. Of
the 22,123 sq mt of land, the state has approved 6,277 sq mt of land for
commercial and 16,430 sq mt for residential purpose.
If the government keeps changing the land use of parks and
playgrounds, no parks will be left with Bengaluru. I have written
letters to the BBMP and BDA to refuse building plans and another letter
to the pollution control board and airport authority to desist from
issuing no objection certificate,” said Mr Amaresh.
Public objections should have been invited before
effecting the change in land use, he said. BDA authorities on
condition of anonymity said that the state government does have the
power to change the purpose of land use. The authorities of ETA
Karnataka at the Bengaluru corporate office, who promised to provide
their version, were not available for comment.
