Court wants experts to look into Cubbon Park metro station

Court wants experts to look into Cubbon Park metro station

Staff Reporter
Two BMRCL petitions before High Court

Underground station may affect the Vidhana Soudha

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday suggested the formation of an expert committee to look into the issue of felling of trees in Cubbon Park and other environmental issues before permitting Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to take over part of the park for the Namma Metro project.

A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Gopala Gowda and Justice B.V. Nagaratna made this suggestion when it was hearing two applications by BMRCL: the first for laying a diversion road through the park, the second an underground metro rail station on Ambedkar Veedhi between the High Court and the Vidhana Soudha.

Advocate-General Ashok Harnahalli, appearing for the State, said that as Ambedkar Veedhi between Gopala Gowda Circle and GPO Circle would be closed, it is necessary to construct a temporary road adjoining it [Ambedkar Veedhi]. The petitioners, Bimal Desai and G.K. Govinda Rao, said that there is no need for an Ambedkar Veedhi station as one is planned at Minsk Square, less than 750 metres away and another at Central College Grounds.

An underground station would imperil both the High Court and the Vidhana Soudha buildings besides posing security problems for both the court and the Secretariat.

The Advocate-General said that the underground station on Ambedkar Veedhi could cater to the needs of people working in the Vidhana Soudha and the High Court apart from helping litigants who come to the High Court.

The Bench said it would pass orders on Thursday and adjourned the case.