Much-loved park ripped apart

Much-loved park ripped apart


BBMP workers demolishing a part of a park at KEB Layout
Sriram V First Published : 18 Jan 2009 09:17:03 AM ISTLast Updated : 18 Jan 2009 12:04:53 PM IST
BANGALORE: On Saturday morning when BBMP officials arrived at the KEB Layout, armed with earth moving equipment, police protection and an executive order, they were met by a motley group of senior citizens, young men and children.
The group was there to protect its much-loved park and the peace and calmness of their neighbourhood, both of which are under threat from the construction of a small road inside the Layout. The BBMP’s plan to build the road to connect the 6th and the 7th Main of the KEB Layout, involves the demolition of a section of the park. As of now all roads in the layout lead to dead ends, which is why the residents here experience a level of quiet, that is a rarity in the city. Children play on the roads and senior citizens walk without fear of being mowed down. A Shirdi Sai Baba temple on the 7th Main is the only exception, where devotees gather in large numbers. On Thursdays, the crowds are so huge that traffic is completely blocked and many have to walk up to the temple.
According to the residents, the new road was being built only because trustees of the temple wanted it as they did not have enough parking and movement space for the temple visitors’ vehicular traffic. “The road is being built so that VIPs can zip to and from the temple,” says Thomas, a resident.
According to another resident, Umesh, the park has been a vital lung space for the residents of surrounding areas and is frequented by senior citizens and children. “The demolition of a section of the park would put these children and senior citizens in danger due to the vehicular traffic that the new road would create. Besides, the section of the park across which the road is being built is the only area available for children to play,” he says.
A BBMP official overseeing the demolition work said they were just carrying out orders. “Only people on one road are opposing this, no one else has any complaints,” he said.
All the protest notwithstanding, the demolition of the park was carried out and residents say they would now look at legal options.