Bengaluru, 23 August (H.S.): The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing up to 5% of park and garden land to be alienated for public purposes, has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists, citizen groups and BJP MPs.

Critics alleged that the proposed amendment was intended to facilitate the 17.1-km Bengaluru North-South Twin Tunnel Road, planned between Hebbal and the Central Silk Board Junction.

Environmental activist Dattatreya T. Devare said the government was changing the law to strengthen its position in cases challenging the tunnel project before the Karnataka High Court. The court is hearing three public interest litigations against the project.

Devare said the petitioners had raised objections based on existing laws, including the Parks Preservation Act. Amending the legislation during the proceedings could weaken their arguments and clear legal hurdles for both the long and short tunnel proposals, he alleged.

He also pointed to the recent reduction of buffer zones along stormwater drains, claiming that objections to major infrastructure projects were increasingly being addressed through legislative changes. On July 16, the High Court said the tunnel project’s fate would depend on the outcome of the pending cases.

Bengaluru South BJP MP L.S. Tejasvi Surya said the tunnel alignment would pass through Lalbagh and require about 1.92 hectares, or nearly five acres, for the tunnel and shaft. He said the Detailed Project Report also proposed parking facilities and a commercial complex near the shaft.

In an open letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Surya warned that the Cabinet decision could seriously affect Bengaluru’s remaining green spaces and alleged that it sought to circumvent the court proceedings.

Bengaluru Central BJP MP P.C. Mohan described the proposed amendment as a dangerous attack on the city’s green spaces. He said laws protecting Lalbagh and Cubbon Park should be strengthened rather than diluted and announced that the BJP would oppose the Bill.

It remains unclear whether the Bill will be introduced during the ongoing Karnataka Legislature session.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman