Shivakumar seeks defence land, faster clearances for Bengaluru projects
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has asked the Defence Ministry to expedite clearances and part with land for seven Bengaluru infrastructure and development projects.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Monday, seeking the ministry's cooperation in speeding up clearances and the release of land parcels for seven urban infrastructure and development projects in Bengaluru.
Among the proposals, the Chief Minister suggested developing a permanent public park and lung space on roughly 730 acres of defence land near the Iblur Firing Range. Under the plan, the land would remain under defence ownership and the park would be built without any commercial development.
On the issue of ten notified slums spread over about 43.83 acres of defence land, Shivakumar proposed transferring an equivalent area of government land at a suitable alternative location. He pointed to the difficulty of finding land of matching value within Bengaluru and sought urgent permission for repair and redevelopment of the slum areas, citing flooding during monsoon rains.
The state has also asked for a review of height restrictions within a 20-km radius of HAL airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka, while balancing flight safety. It has proposed that the mandatory no-objection certificate requirement be limited to a 15-km radius from the aerodrome reference point.
To ease traffic in the south-east corridor, the state has sought defence land for a 24-metre road linking Lower Agaram Road near the Government Hospital to Sarjapur Road via Ejipura Junction, which is expected to reduce pressure on the Inner and Outer Ring Roads. The project has already been tendered and awarded.
Other requests include 2.039 acres of defence land for a ramp near Hebbal for the proposed Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel project, and permission for the tunnel to pass beneath defence areas near Mekhri Circle without disturbing the surface. The state has also sought 6.87 acres for an 18-metre link road connecting Ballari Road and Sarovara Layout, widening of the road at Mekhri Circle on Ballari Road, and 0.77 acres from DGQA and PRTC to widen an existing two-lane stretch to three lanes.