Varsity may find it difficult to hold on

July 29: Untill a decade ago, the 1,300 acre UAS campus was not even considered a part of Bengaluru city. The comprehensive development plan had placed it within the protected green belt around the city. Then the airport shifted to Devanahalli, and Bellary Road was widened to eight lanes to accommodate the increased traffic.
Many things changed. Property values shot up, dense neighbourhoods emerged in the green belt (legally or otherwise), and major plans were drawn up to develop the entire hinterland between the heart of the city and the faraway airport into a special economic zone.
In such a rapidly changing geographical and political landscape, it becomes difficult for a university to hold its own.
Records prove that the university was coerced into approve the building of the road through its campus by a former BBMP commissioner, who used his de facto privilege as university board member. Bulldozers made their way through the thick forest and crop research area of the university tearing down everything in their path on his orders. The process was slowed down only after several former vice-chancellors of the university and this writer went to court questioning the legality and purpose of the road. The university board too later resolved to oppose the building of the road through its campus
But BBMP still claims the road is meant to serve the wider public interest as it will connect the Yelahanka-Yeshwanthpur Road to the Bellary Road.

(The author is a green activist and coordinator, Environment Support Group Organisation)