Of a slumbering government and a forgotten science city

Of a slumbering government and a forgotten science city
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: It takes a wide-awake government to dream big. In 2002, in a fit of dreamy abstraction, the state government had said it would build a science city and a space museum - dotted with electronics, bio-technology and bio-diversity parks.

But now, it looks like a snoozing government cannot see its dream projects through. Even after two years, it is still busy with securing suitable land for the project.

The Rs. 70-crore project, conceived by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is yet to be materialised. According to deputy secretary of DST Ramanjaneya, the state government had identified 100 acres in the midst of Bannerghatta forest area, but the same was cancelled last year.

At the outset, it looks as though the cancellation was triggered by fears of possible harm to the elephant corridor as expressed by some wildlife activists. But in reality, it was because of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Rifles training centre established there.

Ramanjaneya told that to avoid any unpleasant experience with the CRPF, the DST compromised on its goals. The DST is now looking for a suitable land in Hesaraghatta, but officially, the previous land allotment still stands.

Voluntary organisations like the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) had filed a petition against the state government in June 2004 for allotting the forest land for non-forest purposes like this one and a police centre that pose problems to the wild habitat.

Counsel Brinda Nandakumar said that the government had not responded even after a legal notice. “If they have taken any decision or action, they should furnish it in writing to cancel the existing order,” she added.

Meanwhile, at a recent hearing, the state government had asked for more time to file objections.

The DST is now looking to outline a 100-acre piece out of the 300 acres belonging to the Karnataka Film Development Corporation (KFDC) in Hesaraghatta. The land faces disinvestment. Ramanjaneya said the process would take two to three months more. Last year, when the Bannerghatta forest land was ruled out, the DST had filed an application seeking land in Hesaraghatta, but is still uncertain of getting it. “Once the project starts, it would be completed in a span of five years,” he added.