It’s dead end for Devaraj Urs Road

It’s dead end for Devaraj Urs Road
Park Will Come Up Between Vidhana Soudha And Vikasa Soudha
The Times of India

Bangalore: With the High Court last week upholding Bangalore police’s decision to close down, on security grounds, the Devaraj Urs Road stretching between Vidhana Soudha and Vikas Soudha and connecting Gopala Gowda Circle and Basaveshwara Circle, the city police are busy preparing a notification to the effect.

“A park will come up between the two buildings; a road cannot exist there as it poses a security threat,’’ a senior police officer said.
“This will be done after the issual of a formal notification which will be issued by the police commissioner’s office in a couple of days,’’ Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) sources said.

A group of advocates under the banner of National Federation of Lawyers had challenged the closure of the road and the conversion of several avenues in the vicinity of Raj Bhavan into oneways.

Two years ago, the road in question had been closed to facilitate construction of the Vikas Soudha building. Later, on security grounds, the police decided to close it permanently after central policing agencies too recommended such a measure. That was when the advocates filed a PIL.

While disposing of the petition filed by the advocates, the High Court bench headed by Chief Justice N.K. Sodhi upheld the police version and dismissed petitions challenging the move.

After attacks on the Parliament building in New Delhi and the Legislature in Srinagar not too long ago, the Intelligence Bureau had reportedly advised the states to ensure fool-proof security arrangements around state secretariat buildings and other vital installations.
The Vidhana Soudha premises have since been fortified, with an iron grill and several gates giving the compound a rather imposing look. Closure of the Devaraj Urs road will only strengthen the security measures, a senior police officer said.