BENGALURU: Opposing the renovation of the BDA complex at the cost of hundreds of trees, residents of Indiranagar and elected representatives met BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh on Monday and demanded that the BBMP drop the idea. Meeting MPs Rajeev Chandrasekhar and P.C. Mohan and residents, Mr Singh said that he will need seven days to provide the update on the remodeling of the commercial complex.
“The redevelopment of the complex will be in violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) buffer zone and will kill the Rajakaluve. If an attempt is made to violate the tribunal’s ruling, there will be consequences that the BDA and the government will have to face,” the protesters warned. The Namma Bengaluru Foundtion (NBF) has filed an RTI application to know the details of this proposed project. “What we got as a response is totally unacceptable as the BDA is not the owner of the land but merely an agency that is a custodian of public land. As stated in the court that the BDA is the Secretariat of MPC, (A constitutionalist that is authorised to develop Bengaluru). The BDA is solely responsible for the plans that benefit to the city,” said Mr. Chandrasekhar.
Indiranagar First Stage residents said that they learnt through media reports that 171 trees will be chopped. “We oppose such monstrosity that will kill the remaining greenery and will only add to the woes with rampant commercialisation around this area,” they said.
