Won’t allow Lalbagh to die, say citizens

Won’t allow Lalbagh to die, say citizens
They Tell BMRC To Think Of Other Options
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: South Bangalore’s citizenry protesting against Namma Metro construction, which will eat into Lalbagh, demanded a look at alternative solutions so that trees are not felled in the botanical garden and on Nanda Road. Over 250 citizens participated in the protest on Sunday at Nanda Road and Lalbagh, led by IIM-B professor Rajeev Gowda and Mahalakshmi Layout MLA Narendra Babu.
Babu said during the special assembly session in Belgaum, he had expected a Bill to be tabled, which would amend the Karnataka Open Spaces and Parks Act, and pave the way for the Metro to take over portion of Lalbagh.
Raghu of Hasiru Usiru, a network of individuals and organizations working for environmental issues, said architects of Hasiru Usiru have proposed alternative solutions, which will be placed at a meeting, to be held involving the public and Metro officials on May 1.
An online petition addressed to the chief minister, signed by over 2,500 citizens, urges the authorities to take a re-look at Metro plans.
The demands of Hasiru Usiru include a government order staying work on the Metro in south Bangalore, public consultations, evaluation of proposed alternatives and a new design. Hasiru Usiru had filed an RTI, which reveals that BMRC had confirmed 323 trees would be felled on R V Road (Nanda Road). For details, log onto esgindia.org and hasiruusiru.org