Guv spikes memorial in park

Guv spikes memorial in park
Wants It In Cantt, Cites Green Cover Loss, Traffic As Reasons
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The controversy over the war memorial location in Indira Gandhi Musical Park has as good as ended, with the governor frowning on its location. The controversy prompted governor H R Bhardwaj to write to the government, suggesting it find an alternative place for it.
The governor is reported to have opined that construction of the memorial opposite Raj Bhavan was a “highly unwise proposal’’. “It will not only lead to cutting of green cover, which is already depleted, but will also cause other problems of traffic congestion and security hazard in front of Raj Bhavan, and several petitions from enlightened citizens and residents of Ali Asker Road and surrounding areas have come,’’ he added.
Going by ABIDe and BDA’s joint action agenda, the memorial will be ready by December 2010 to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas. But, the one issue worrying walkers of this area is ‘Why here?’ They are upset that 30 trees were to be cut within the park for the memorial. Appreciating the objective of dedicating a memorial to war heroes as “extremely laudable”, the governor suggested it could be located in Cantonment area, after appropriate consultation with the defence authorities. However, he was categorical that the memorial’s construction should not be entrusted to a private trust.
The governor said there is a national policy on setting up of war memorials, wherein they should not create any environmental or civic problems, and so, should be located in open spaces. He quoted the example of the proposed police memorial before the Nehru Vishwa Yuvak Kendra on Circular Road, New Delhi, which was shifted out of the diplomatic area by the Union cabinet, on similar considerations.
NO REACTION YET
Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s office said on Wednesday: “He is in Delhi. He has not seen the letter. Unless he sees it, it may not be appropriate to react.’’