Palike rethinks on handing over K Park to Madras Sappers

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now rethinking on handing over the Kensington Park (K Park) to Madras Sappers (MEG) as it is the only civilian major lung space in the region.

Now the Palike will consider providing an alternative land elsewhere in place of close to 8,500 square metres of Park land, adjacent to the Halasuru Lake. The BBMP, however, is yet to identify the new piece of land to be handed over to the Sappers

At the K Park, Madras Sappers is already in possession of half of the land on lease, which is due for renewal. A few years ago, the BBMP Council had passed a resolution to transfer the entire park to Madras Sappers. In return, the Defence ministry had agreed to give two acres of its land at Byappanahalli for building the railway over bridge.

It is said that the state would give an additional 200 acres near Anekal to the Defence ministry. Already 207 acres of land has been identified to be  handed over to the military, said sources.

Besides the K Park, the Palike wants to resolve at least eight more pending issues pertaining to land belonging to the defence establishment. The civic body is hoping for another round of meeting with defence and state government to sort out land issues.

At a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday, the Defence establishment agreed in principle to hand over a total of 38 acres and 28 guntas of land across 16 locations in the city to the BBMP. It includes many projects related to the widening of roads.

“It is a big boost to our long pending demand for various infrastructure projects aimed to ease traffic,” said BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad.

However, the BBMP needs land for its eight more projects. These issues were discussed at the meeting but no decision was taken.

Yet to be resolved

DRDO declaration that Jyothipura and land in surrounding areas belongs to it.
Two acres of land at Doddanekkundi for burial ground and a park
Land for a road to the burial ground at Marathahalli
Four acres for widening road in Beluru Ambedkar Nagar
Land for a market and a bus stop at Manjunathanagar in Marathahalli.