Space reserved for garden converted into sites

A case of developing sites on a plot reserved for the garden has come to light in the town. The garden, situated near the Forest Department’s nursery at Maruti Layout in Housing Board Colony, had been converted into ten sites by some vested interests. The value of this property is estimated at several crores of rupees according to prevailing market rate.

This has halted the ambitious programme of development of gardens by the City Municipal Council.

It came to the knowledge of the CMC after a person from Kollegal, T Udaykumar submitted an application.

He had contended that the garden is being developed on the site belonging to them. However, he had failed to mention the site number in the application. The total area of the layout is 4.13 acre of which 2,204 sq mtrs has been reserved for garden. As per the origin plan, there should have been only 45 sites. However, the masterplan has been changed to create more sites.

In the process, they have used the land reserved for civic amenities like government school and playground to form sites.

According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, whenever a new layout is formed, 55 per cent of space should be used for building houses. But, in this particular case, it has been 63 per cent thus clearly violating the apex court’s order.

The extent of the place reserved for play ground has been reduced to 8 per cent from the original 12.6 per cent.It is mandatory that any changes in the master plan has to be ratified in the urban development authority meeting. However, everything has been flouted as far this case is concerned.

CMC Commissioner S Prakash told Deccan Herald that it has been proved beyond doubt that the land earmarked for playground has been converted into sites.
The council would cancel all the khatas and take measures for the development of garden.

 This case would not have come to light had not a person from Kollegal submitted the application claiming that the land belongs to him. The master plan has been doctored and it was an offence to form sites on the land reserved for garden.

This matter has been discussed with the deputy commissioner to initiate further course of action”, he added.