JOIN USIn its objections, the BBMP stated that the petitioners were aware of the master plan prepared by the planning authority in 2004. A draft revised master plan was published for the entire BBMP area inviting objections from the public.
“It is only after receiving the objections and considering the representations, the final revised master plan was published with the proposal to widen the road from Cauvery Junction to CNR Rao Circle and CNR Rao Circle to Yeshwanthpur”, according to the objection statement.
Conservative approach
In its 29-page reply, the Palike has submitted that as 733 trees would have to be cut if it went by the master plan strictly in between Cauvery Junction and Yeshwanthpur Circle alone. However, with an intention to save the trees the width of the road had ben reduced to 27 metre from Bhashyam Circle to Yeshwanthpur Circle resulting in saving of 463 trees. Under the current proposal the BBMP has submitted that it is likely to remove 270 trees, of which only 40 belong to important species.
“The rest of the 230 trees are not exotic in nature and are likely to fall or break during rainy or windy seasons.”
In addition to the revised master plan-2015, the principal secretary, urban development department had constituted an expert committee to study Sankey Tank Road widening and the Palike has ben strictly implementing the report as directed by the committee. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice H G Ramesh directed the petitioners to file counter affidavit and extended the status quo till the next date of hearing.