Residents oppose temple in civic amenity site

Residents oppose temple in civic amenity site
DH News Service, Bangalore:
A civic amenity CV site earmarked for a park by the BDA has gone missing. HMT 2nd Cross, 3r Cross TPV Layout Street Forum has raised objection over alleged construction activities in the master plan of TP Venugopal Layout (survey number 3) in RT Nagar.

The Forum convener S G Naragunde in a letter addressed to Sri Gajanana Seva Mandali secretary has pointed out that Mandali cannot take up any construction work as per rules. There were two temples in the site (Shridi Sai Baba temple and Gangadhareshwar temple). Barring two temples, construction of anything would become illegal. The Mandali should also ensure sanitation in around the site, Naragunde requested and said that he brought the issue to the notice of BBMP.

The Mandali president Munigangappa brushed aside allegations and said that some vested interests were trying to create problems to fulfil their personal agenda. The Mandali has constructed temples and other things legally and has documents to justify the same. The BDA gave the site after HMT Cooperative House Building Society submitted a proposal requesting the land for the construction of temple in 1974. The BDA did not impose any restriction regarding construction of any building in the site when the site was awarded. Devotees installed a Ganesha idol in 1982. On the other side of the temple there used to be a lot of illegal activities during the nights. The devotees decided to construct the Sai temple in order to prevent such activities and to maintain sanctity in the area. A spiritual Centre was constructed and an office was also constructed in 1994. The Mandali has not taken up construction of building in the site. The last building that was constructed was in 1994. “We have followed necessary rules. If the authority concerned finds out that we have violated any norms, then they can initiate legal action against the Mandali.”

High tension wire
A high tension wire passes through the site. A person was electrocuted to death when he came into contact with the wire in January this year in a building near the temple. BDA issued notices to all building owners directing them to leave 20 feet space down the line as a safety measure. We demolished certain portion of a building after the notice, he added.

Meanwhile, a host of residents are of the opinion that initially they had kept mum as the place was being utilised for religious activities but now, many youth organisations and other unwanted structures with vested interest are coming up. Instead, we expect the BDA or BBMP authorities to intervene and leave some open space for park.

“Most of the CA sites in layouts developed by BDA have not yet been handed over to BBMP so far. We will look into it whether the site has been encroached upon. If the land is occupied illegally further actions will be taken”, said a engineer who took charge recently.