Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Monday sought the Centre’s intervention to expedite major infrastructure and water projects, resolve Defence land issues in Bengaluru and address the state’s concerns over the Coastal Zone Management Plan and proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area notification.
In his meeting with the Defence minister, Shivakumar sought early resolution of seven pending issues involving Defence land in Bengaluru. One of the major proposals is to use 730 acres near Iblur Firing Range as a permanent public park.
“The State has proposed the land be used exclusively as a public park, without commercial development, while ownership remains with the Defence authorities,” Shivakumar said, according to the statement.
Karnataka has proposed transferring government land of equivalent area at a suitable alternative location, citing difficulties in identifying equal value land within Bengaluru. The road, planned along Bellandur Lake, is intended to improve east south connectivity and reduce pressure on the Inner and Outer Ring Roads. Shivakumar also met Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil and sought faster decisions on major water projects.
He also sought a solution for 10 notified slums located on about 43.838 acres of Defence land. Karnataka has also sought Defence land for a 24 metre road connecting Lower Agaram Road near the Government Hospital to Sarjapur Road through Ejipura Junction. For the proposed Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project, Karnataka has sought 2.039 acres of Defence land for a ramp near Hebbal and permission for the tunnel to pass through Defence areas near Mekhri Circle without disturbing the surface land. The state also objected to a proposed licence fee of 33% of the land cost, amounting to ₹ 60.72 crore. Karnataka submitted the Mekedatu detailed project report and compliance report to the Central Water Commission on August 13.
“The State has proposed transferring government land of equivalent area at a suitable alternative location,” Shivakumar said, adding that urgent permission was also sought for repair and redevelopment of the slum areas, particularly as monsoon rains had caused flooding. “While balancing flight safety with Bengaluru’s development requirements, the State has proposed limiting the mandatory NOC requirement to a 15 km radius from the aerodrome reference point,” he said. “The State has requested early working permission as the project has already been tendered and awarded,”the CM said. “The State requested that the licence fee be reduced to 2%,” Shivakumar said. “The State has been pursuing the matter with the CWC and requested that the appraisal be completed on priority,” Shivakumar said.
