Indiranagar Open Streets will promote pub culture: local MLA

Close on the heels of citizens and residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) opposing the  'Open Streets' event scheduled to be organised at Indiranagar 100 feet Road on January 15,  C V Raman Nagar MLA S Raghu has condemned the event stating that it will promote ‘pub tourism’ in Indiranagar.

The event venue falls under the constituency of Raghu, a BJP MLA. He has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge, opposing the event to be organised by the Tourism department.

In letters dated January 6, the MLA has listed various reasons  why he is against the fest: lack of parking space, no garbage disposal plan for the event, opposition by citizens and eight RWAs, lack of efficient police force at Indiranagar, among others.

Speaking to DH, Raghu said: “I believe the event is being held to promote pub tourism and pub culture, which are against our culture. The government could not handle a crowd of around 50,000 at Brigade Road on New Year’s eve. How will it manage two lakh people who are expected to take part in Open Streets?”

The MLA said that the funds earmarked for the event could be used for road beautification and other civic infrastructure projects in Indiranagar.