State eyes Manekshaw grounds for parking lot

State eyes Manekshaw grounds for parking lot

The chief minister promised to soon resolve all civic issues faced by the personnel, and also offered tax sops

Srikanth Hunasavadi. Bangalore



Smooth flow of traffic and abundant parking space on MG Road! This could become a reality soon if the state government succeeds in convincing the defence ministry to permit the construction of an underground parking system at Manekshaw Parade Grounds.
During the annual Civil Military Liaison Conference (CMLC) held at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, chief secretary SV Ranganath put forward this proposal before the defence authorities and requested them to co-operate with the civilian administration by providing defence lands wherever necessary for civic amenities, like widening of roads or providing parking facilities.
Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, in his opening address, reiterated the commitment of the state government to resolve issues related to military and civil matters on a priority basis.
Assuring the government's commitment for the welfare of defence personnel, he said that issues like land for defence forces, removal of encroachments on defence lands, shortage of water supply to military stations, house tax exemptions, etc will be solved soon.
Ranganath also assured that appropriate changes would be made to the taxation laws so as to exempt defence personnel and ex-servicemen from house tax. He also directed the BWSSB and BBMP authorities to resolve issues of water scarcity in military stations in the city, and construction of overhead footbridges at busy roads dividing defence installations.