Want to help?

What's New

Publications

ESG has produced a number of films and other publications that can be purchased.

Join Us

Volunteers and interns are always welcome and needed.

Hasire Usiru

Campaign to Reclaim Bangalore's Commons

Public Action

Padayatra by Citizens in Protest of Metro Rail Construction Plans in South Bangalore

Sunday Apr 26, 10:30 am Lalbagh West Gate

(download PDF: English - 109 KB, Kannada - 95 KB)

This past week, Bangalore has demonstrated democracy's true potential by coming out in large numbers protesting the destruction of the world renowned Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao Parks (on Nanda Road) by the insensitivity and lack of care for progressive planning by the Bangalore Metro authorities. All Lok Sabha candidates of Bangalore South have endorsed our stand. Mr. R. Ashok, Karnataka Transport Minister has categorically stated he would instruct the Bangalore Metro officials to stop work forthwith. He has also assured that there would be no tree felling on the note that the Government would be willing to consider realigning the southern reach of the Metro. However, the Bangalore Metro authorities have intensified work on this reach, in total disregard of the Minister's assurances to the public.

Background: On Apr 13 and 14, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corp demolished 500 feet of Lalbagh’s perimeter wall and cut trees in Lalbagh to clear area for a station inside Lalbagh. BMRCL has also confirmed that 323 trees will be cut on R.V.Road (Nanda Road) for the metro. On the night of April 11, BMRCL illegally started cutting trees on Nanda Road and they were stopped by Hasiru Usiru volunteers.

Shouldn’t we save Nanda Road and Lalbagh, our natural heritage?

Hasiru Usiru has been leading a determined struggle to make sure the metro does not violate Lalbagh and Nanda road. After 4 successful protests earlier this week, significant sections of the people of Bangalore and politicians from Bangalore South are now demanding that we need to look at alternate solutions so that Lalbagh and Nanda road are saved. The protest on April 26 is to demand that:

  1. The government issues an order staying current work on of the metro in South Bangalore
  2. Issues orders for public consultations
  3. Seriously evaluates proposed alternatives and comes up with a new design

This metro phase is illegal because...

  • On 16/03/2009, the High Court of Karnataka ruled in a PIL filed by Environment Support Group and ors. (WP 7107/2008) instructing urban infrastructure development agencies to "strictly follow" the provisions of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act(KTCPA) & the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act.This order is binding on the BBMP, BMRCL and BDA.
  • The KTCPA requires planning and implementation authorities to evolve projects in consultation with the Public. The BMRCL has not followed this process for the Metro.

Metro's Impact on Nanda Road and Other Parks

  • BMRCL sought clearance and claimed that trees on Nanda Road will be pruned, not cut.
  • Response to an RTI application reveals that 323 trees will be cut on Nanda – RV road
  • BMRCL also plans to acquire land in Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain and Cubbon Park and trees will come under the axe.

For details, please contact hu.bangalore@gmail.com or 98802 83974 or 98805 95032
Issued in the public interest by Hasiru Usiru (http://www.hasiruusiru.org), a network of individuals and organisations working to protect public spaces, public commons and urban greens in and around Bangalore.

ESG is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes the cause of environmental and social justice through research, documentation, advocacy, training and campaign support. We aim to support the rights of local communities and voiceless ecosystems in a responsible, progressive manner that keeps contextual complexities in mind.

Email us for information on joining Hasire Usiru. More material is available on the Hasiru Usiru website.

Hasire Usiru in the news

About Newsrack

Join our mailing lists