Walkers, environmentalists to protest proposed 10-storey annexe building of Karnataka HC at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park

The CPWA alleged that the proposed 10-storey annex building will encroach upon the park area which will lead to an increase in both human and vehicular movement and lead to ecological imbalance.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, Umesh said, “We all know that Cubbon Park with its diverse green cover is a lifeline of a variety of flora and fauna and even Bengalureans. The proposed construction of the building will only lead to more vehicular traffic and pollution which will damage the environment.”

He added, “The 300-acre park was reduced to 162 acre after several commercial buildings and clubs were constructed over time. Now, with the 10-storey building, the area of green cover will shrink further. We demand the government to withdraw the proposal to go ahead with the construction of the building.”

A horticulture department official said, “A revised proposal has been submitted by the Public Works Department before the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS)-led committee to build the 10-storey administrative block for the High Court. However, no decision has been taken by the committee on going ahead with the construction.”

In 2019, the registrar of the High Court had filed a petition in the court seeking permission to construct an administrative block within Cubbon Park, near the High Court. However, environmentalists and the walker’s association had opposed the move citing ecological damage.

The High Court then sought a detailed proposal from the PWD department to identify the location for the construction of the annexe building. The PWD submitted before the court a construction plan for a seven-storey building behind the High Court, which required axing of 17 trees, road diversions and other modifications.

However, the court had rejected this proposal following which the PWD came up with another proposal which did not involve cutting of trees and road diversions. “The court later allowed the construction of the building with the revised plan,” said the official.

The Horticulture department official also argued that allowing the construction of the building would not only mean ecological imbalance but also set a precedent for other builders to propose new constructions and modifications.

“The (Horticulture) department’s aim is to protect and conserve the natural heritage of Cubbon Park and any new construction, demolition or modification would harm the environment,” said the official, suggesting that the court complex can be constructed in other parts of the city.

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