JOIN USThe decision of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to allot the land behind Chowdiah Memorial Hall at Gayatri Devi Park Extension in Vyalikaval to the JD(S) has not gone down well with local residents.
Members of Gayatri Devi Park Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) are planning to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the civic agency if the State government approves the Palike's resolution allotting 1.1 acres to the JD(S).
The association maintained that the land granted by Palike is a disputed site involving private parties. The BBMP Council on Wednesday passed a resolution to grant the land to the JD(S) for building its party office.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Gayatri Devi Park RWA secretary Halaswamy B M said: “The space has several pipelines laid by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and if any construction takes place, it will disrupt the water supply pipelines. Also, the Sankey Tank is situated close to the land. Already, we are facing problems due to the crowds visiting Chowdiah Memorial Hall and Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) temple."
The association members said four to five roads located close to Chowdiah Memorial Hall and TTD are blocked on all days as vehicles are parked there. "Despite this being a BDA residential layout, all these activities take place here. We will send a letter to the BBMP Commissioner as well as the State government requesting them to reconsider the Palike's decision of granting the land to JD(S). We are planning to also file a PIL against the Chowdiah Memorial Hall and the TTD," added Halaswamy.
However, JD(S) floor leader in the BBMP R Prakash rubbished the allegations and said: "The site is not a disputed land and we do not need the State government's approval. The commissioner's decision is final and a letter has been forwarded to him ten days ago by us. We will not build on BWSSB water pipes and will utilise only 20,000 sq ft of the land. The rest will be used for road widening."