BBMP will axe trees, say former V-Cs

BBMP will axe trees, say former V-Cs
HC Issues Notices To State, Union Govt, BDA, BBMP On Road Project In GKVK
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The high court on Wednesday ordered notices to the state and Union governments, BDA, BBMP and the National Biodiversity Board on a PIL challenging a road project on GKVK campus.
The 9.5 km-long link road that passes through GKVK campus connects Yeshwantpur, Yelahanka and Bengaluru International Airport. Hundreds of trees will be axed, stated the PIL filed by seven former vice-chancellors of the University of Agriculture Science (UAS).
The vacation division Bench headed by Justice A S Bopanna posted the matter to Friday, asking the government advocate to ascertain the present status of the project.
“The road project was opposed by the board of regents of UAS at its 333rd meeting on May 29 this year. But a 180 degree turn was made at its 336th meeting on August 18. Also, Vidyaranyapura residents opposed tree-felling,” the petitioners claimed.
“The governor had told authorities to consider the petitioners’ requests. Even a senior forest officer opined that the area should be turned into a biodiversity spot. But BBMP has moved men and machines to cut trees despite genuine opposition,” the petitioners stated.
ADMISSION TO DEEMED UNIVERSITIES: JUDGMENT RESERVED
A division Bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda on Wednesday completed hearing on a batch of petitions relating to the admission tangle in Yenepoya and Nitte deemed universities. Then it reserved its order for September 29.
The Supreme Court had posted to September 29 the special leave petitions filed by the Medical Council of India, challenging the August 19 high court order. The last date for admissions is September 30.
On September 2, the Supreme Court had stayed the August 19 order of the high court, following an SLP filed by MCI, alleging excess admission in Mangalore-based Yenepoya and Nitte deemed universities — this, if the HC order is implemented.
The universities, which at the time of obtaining no-objection certificate, gave an undertaking that they would surrender 25% seats to the government, allegedly turned back 24 students sent by KEA. The students were evaluated based on their CET performance .