Royals willing to give up Palace land

Royals willing to give up Palace land
The Times of India

Bangalore: The royal family of Mysore has volunteered to surrender portions of its land at the Palace Grounds for road-widening works.

In a press release, the daughters of late Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar — Princesses Meenakshi Devi, Kamakshi Devi, Indirakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi — have offered to surrender the required extent of land to the government and BMP. The announcement was spurred by media reports of widening of 12 city roads invoking the provisions of TDR (Transferable Development Rights).

For the purpose of road-widening to tackle traffic chaos, the BMP requires 30 metres of land on Bellary Road, a huge chunk of which are the Palace Grounds. The release states: “It is axiomatic to presume that any widening of Bellary Road/Ramana Maharshi Road can only be achieved by acquiring part of the Bangalore Palace property to the extent required. We will be extremely happy if the BMP issues the necessary TDR certificate in our favour as assured by the chief minister.’’

The family says the TDR, which will be issued by the BMP in lieu of the land surrendered for widening of Bellary Road, will be used to construct a monument like the World Trade Centre in memory of the late Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.

However, the press release rakes up another long-pending issue. “We also take the opportunity to once again bring to the government’s notice the offer made by us recently to settle out-of-court the long-pending legal imbroglio connected with acquisition of Palace Grounds belonging to us.’’

Family member Chaduranga Kantharaj Urs explained that the issue was the government’s proposed acquisition of 472 acres of Palace Grounds, of which 140 acres belong to the sisters.