Residents oppose road in park

Residents oppose road in park
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU


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The BBMP was in for a shock on Saturday when it tried to begin work on laying a road through a park in KEB Layout, BTM Ist stage, as the people of the area came out on the streets to stop it from going ahead.
People formed a human chain to prevent the BBMP men from laying the road through the park to connect the 6th and 7th main roads. As the protest grew the police arrived on the scene, causing more tension in the locality.

“We have never felt the need for this road. We have made repeated complaints to the police, who did not help us. Instead they tried to mass arrest us on Saturday when we protested against the road work. The BBMP should invite objections from the public before carrying out such work on a civic amenities site. But it is going ahead with the support of the police,” protests a resident, P. N. Umesh.

“If these contractors are allowed to form a road through the children’s play area, we will not be able to enjoy the park in peace,” lament the people, who allege that the play equip ment of the children was gradually removed from the park to make way for the road .

“When everyone is trying to protect greenery to prevent the ill effects of global warming, why is the BBMP destroying lung space to help a few vested interests?. We want our park and the greenery to remain the way it is,” they demand.

The people allege the BBMP had in the past made desperate attempts to provide a road for the benefit of the Sai Baba temple in the area. Repeated complaints had not worked.

“Some inspections were conducted before the authorities washed their hands off the affair,” alleges another resident of KEB Layout, Thomas.

He reveals the residents will approach the court on Monday to bring a stay on the road work. BBMP executive engineer (Jayanagar division) Raghavendra Prasad claims the the road is being built at the people's request. “A connection between 6th and 7th main road will allow ambulances to reach a nearby hospital on KEB Layout 6th Main. Also people here will now have easy access to the main road,” he says.

Peoplespeak Now when our children play in the park we don't have to worry if they are safe. We don’t need a road for ambulances as we have only a dispensary here and not a hospital. Bus commuters are the worst hit with many of them forced to walk atleast 2 km to catch a bus.

Geetha, a resident People have been living here peacefully for a long time. If we keep quiet, the park will be encroached upon completely on one or the other pretext.