BBMP goes ahead with transit camp on playground

BBMP goes ahead with transit camp on playground
VIJAY TIMES NEWS BANGALORE : Residents of Austin Town and surrounding areas had almost heaved a sigh of relief but BBMP put paid to their plan. The Citizens Welfare Association wanted to save the Austin Town playground and even knocked on the doors of the courts. But civic authorities paid no heed to their woes.

BBMP is digging up the existing playground to erect a transit camp for slum-dwellers of Jasma Bhavan slum in Austin Town. They will be shifted back to their original locations, once BBMP provides them with all the basic facilities as part of the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) under the JNNURM scheme.

"When we protested against the construction activities taken up by BBMP recently, the engineer concerned called off the work. However, on Wednesday, in came a pack of policemen, under whose protection workers came in to completely dig up the playground," said a member.

The members point out that BBMP is ignoring zonal regulations, where an area earmarked as a park or playground cannot be used for any other purpose. According to officials, the BBMP had surveyed the area thoroughly to relocate the slum dwellers.

The playground was the only open space around Austin Town near the Jasma Bhavan slum. Officials said that this facility is only for six months.

The residents are unhappy about the state of affairs. "There is no guarantee that the structure will be brought down. Also, where should the children go to play?" they asked.