Playground with walls shocks Girinagar residents

Playground with walls shocks Girinagar residents Playground with walls shocks Girinagar residents

Builders have begun works in Girinagar 4th phase even though BDA is yet to finalise layout plan for the area

Srikanth Hunasavadi and Senthalir S. Bangalore

Residents of Girinagar are angry and frustrated as they helplessly watch walls coming up on the one-acre open ground near Vivekananda Circle where they played games and celebrated festivals.
Ignoring all formalities, builders have started illegal constructions from last week even though Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is yet to finalise the layout plan for the 70-acre land in Girinagar 4th phase.
BDA is concerned. It says builders are doing such activities at their own risk and may face tough action after an investigation.
"We spent our childhood playing here. Schoolchildren from nearby schools used to play here till last week. It is sad that all of a sudden, compound walls are coming up," said Chanchal Pansari, a resident of Bank Colony near Girinagar.
"The land in Girinagar 4th phase has been acquired by BDA. It is to be given on bulk allotment. But the layout plan is not yet ready. Even to start construction, the builders have to complete certain formalities. They have not paid any amount to the BDA and have started this illegal construction. We have brought this to the notice of our senior officers in BDA," said Srinivas Rao, executive engineer, South Division, BDA.
Stating that civic amenity sites should not be touched, a resident of Girinagar, on condition of anonymity, said: "The entire playground is being converted into a layout. It is illegal to build the layout here. Civic amenities should not be touched. We've protested but no one pays heed to their demands," he said.
BDA Commissioner Siddaiah said appropriate action would be taken against those who are illegally constructing the layout.
"The builders are doing this at their own risk. I will instruct my officers to investigate and proper action would be taken against the violators," he said.
"We have been here for the past 22 years. Besides offering space for children to play, this ground stood as a platform for celebrations like Ganesha Chatruthi and Deepawali. It is sad that the layout is coming up here," said Shalu, another resident of Bank Colony.
Krishna Bhat, who has started constructing a layout at the site, said he could not comment as the case was in court. "But it is not illegal. According to the Master Plan 2015, the ground has been allotted as a residential area since there is already a park nearby," he said.