Tree felling backed by land developers?

Over 5,000 residents protested the proposed tree felling on Sankey Tank Road, but with no support coming from the BBMP, many feel a nexus has been formed with developers in the area. Sheetal Sukhija reports

The battle between residents of the Sankey Tank area and the BBMP just got hotter with a new set of players being dragged into the fray. While over 5,000 residents have been protesting against the proposed felling of trees for road widening, a hidden agenda of the BBMP has now been revealed.

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Hold on for dear life: Over 5,000 residents have been protesting against
the proposed felling of trees for widening of Sankey Tank Road.
Pic/Satish Badiger

With several major developers establishing bases around the area, including Malleshwaram and Yeshwanthpur, the involvement of the real estate lobbying in the Sankey Tank Road widening has come to the fore.

Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar alleged, "Lobbying has become a natural phenomenon and the fact that a government body like the BBMP is backing this project so strongly, makes the involvement of a lobby very obvious. Certain real estate lobbies would definitely be gaining a lot through this project."

Much at stake?
On condition of anonymity, a BBMP official further revealed plans of all well-known builders, who could possibly benefit from the project. "The Sattva Group has sanctions to build a mall and a residential complex on the route towards Yeshwanthpur. The Brigade group has a 40-acre corridor in Yeshwanthpur and another residential project and a mall project sanctioned. Mantri Builders own a property around the lake, but according to SC orders, they cannot construct anything there. Apart from these, there are a few small builders, who have their respective shopping complexes and residential apartment projects sanctioned," he said.

Grey area
What further makes this case shady is the fact that the BBMP commissioner, who had earlier opposed this project, switched sides in a matter of five days.

"This is going to be a big investment for some builders. Groups with a commercial interest always contact civic agencies with vested interests, but have the authorities now bowed down to these business giants?" questioned Heblikar.

M N Sreehari, advisor to government on Traffic, Transportation and Infrastructure, said, "The BBMP has faltered at furnishing a projected report. If they are concerned about the residents, they should look at alternative solutions. The fact that no one has the courage to do so, proves that there is a hidden agenda in this project."
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor S Harish conducted a meeting with over 200 residents from the area and representatives from various resident welfare associations, including environmentalists at the BBMP office yesterday afternoon.

The group presented various alternatives, but the BBMP did a point-by-point rebuttal, shunning everything put forth.

In defence,Deputy Mayor S Harish said, "There are many private builders in the area and we have decided in the council meeting that they will not be allowed to go ahead with their projects in core areas of Bangalore."

When questioned about why this road expansion project is being pushed so much that BBMP had announced in 2010 to widen 21 roads in the city, Harish said, "We have got HC sanctions to widen nine important junctions in the city and in the coming months those will also be completed."

To add to the suspense, a truck carrying about 20 woodcutters turned up at a spot on Sankey Road at 10.30 pm. They left the spot on seeing over 40 prosters gathered there. The police were also called in to ensure no untoward incident occured. BBMP PRO S Khandre denied that the department had any involvement. He said, "We will not resort to such measures to cut trees." Higher officials, including the Commissioner of the BBMP were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.