<p>Following vehement protests by nature lovers and the Lalbagh Morning Walkers' Association, the Horticulture Department has put on hold the construction of a car parking zone inside the Lalbagh. <br /><br />The Department had planned to convert the serene garden into a “honking zone” by constructing a parking zone in five acres at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. <br /><br />The work had already commenced-- bylanes and pavements were created and huge quantities of construction material was dumped in the area.<br /><br />The pace at which the work was accomplished gave an impression that the Horticulture Department wanted to finish the project before it could come under the public glare. </p>.<p>But the Department had to stop the work following the public outrage.<br />The Horticulture Department has now set up a three-member expert committee to look into the feasibility of the project. The three members will be an environmentalist, a botanist and a representative of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, K G Jagadish, Director, Horticulture Department, said the work would be resumed only after getting clearance from the expert committee. <br />He said only five acres out of 240 acres of Lalbagh was being utilised for car parking lot.<br />Ramesh Sharma, a frequent visitor to Lalbagh, criticised the department for the move and, said the proposed parking zone will reduce the city’s lung space. <br />“The government wants to turn Lalbagh into another Cubbon Park, where vehicle movement has been allowed.”<br /><br />Another visitor Radhika Swamy said the project was a means to make “fast buck” by collecting parking fees from car owners.</p>
<p>Following vehement protests by nature lovers and the Lalbagh Morning Walkers' Association, the Horticulture Department has put on hold the construction of a car parking zone inside the Lalbagh. <br /><br />The Department had planned to convert the serene garden into a “honking zone” by constructing a parking zone in five acres at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. <br /><br />The work had already commenced-- bylanes and pavements were created and huge quantities of construction material was dumped in the area.<br /><br />The pace at which the work was accomplished gave an impression that the Horticulture Department wanted to finish the project before it could come under the public glare. </p>.<p>But the Department had to stop the work following the public outrage.<br />The Horticulture Department has now set up a three-member expert committee to look into the feasibility of the project. The three members will be an environmentalist, a botanist and a representative of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, K G Jagadish, Director, Horticulture Department, said the work would be resumed only after getting clearance from the expert committee. <br />He said only five acres out of 240 acres of Lalbagh was being utilised for car parking lot.<br />Ramesh Sharma, a frequent visitor to Lalbagh, criticised the department for the move and, said the proposed parking zone will reduce the city’s lung space. <br />“The government wants to turn Lalbagh into another Cubbon Park, where vehicle movement has been allowed.”<br /><br />Another visitor Radhika Swamy said the project was a means to make “fast buck” by collecting parking fees from car owners.</p>
