Deccan Chronicle      21.12.2010

Builder gets park land, state culprit?

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.