Preparations for destruction of greenery amid efforts to make it a heritage site

Jnanabharati: 419 trees ready to be felled

• Governor, Forest Minister present proposal to save biological forest
• Vrishabhati river buffer zone threatened
• Pressure to preserve hundred-year-old trees
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Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: While the Forest Minister is moving to make the biological forest in the Jnanabharati campus a heritage site, the BBMP is moving to fell 419 trees in the area.

Bangalore University has prepared a plan to build an academic block and a research block at Jnanabharati under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme at a cost of ₹100 crore. For this, it has decided to remove 419 trees in Survey No. 6. The BBMP, which received the request, issued a notification on June 20, giving 10 days to file objections before granting permission to cut the trees.

‘No construction of any kind should be allowed in the premises of Jnanabharati. The biological forest should be preserved and all the remaining areas should be made a ‘heritage site’,’ members of the Jnanabharati Airmen’s Association have also appealed to the Governor. Forest Minister Ishwar B. Khandre has instructed the officials to submit a file regarding declaring it a heritage site.

‘It is objectionable that hundreds of trees are being cut down in Jnanabharati, which is to be a heritage site. It is not right to remove trees that have grown for hundreds of years. The Vrishabhati river channel is also here. Such environmental destruction should not be allowed. Some rare flowering plants have already been removed,’ demanded T.J. Renukaprasad, president of the Jnanabharati Airmen’s Association.

‘The attitude of the officials that they will develop by cutting down trees is not right. Cutting down trees in a forest like Jnanabharati is like destroying the environment,’ said environmental activist Vijay Nishant.

‘A biological forest has been created in the area of ​​Survey No. 6, where 419 trees are to be cut, and it has been named ‘Sahyadri Van’. There are heritage trees here and they should be saved,’ demanded the self-aware environmental activists.

Which trees should be cut?

Ashoka tree, bagel tree, tara tree, matti, tupar tree, honne, kakke, bunny, tamarind, kamara, basavanapada, belada tree, beet tree.

‘Ambedkar Theme Park in Buffer Zone’

‘The land identified by the Social Welfare Department to build ‘Ambedkar Theme Park’ in the Jnanabharati campus is in the buffer zone of the Vrishabhati river and is part of Biological Forest-1,’ said the members of the Jnanabharati Airmen’s Association.

‘The 25-acre area identified for the theme park has the Vrishabhavi river flowing through it, and a large check dam has also been built. It is also an area teeming with butterflies. Already, the Ambedkar Study Center is blooming in a beautiful garden. The university has succeeded in bringing the library and auditorium there. Therefore, thousands of trees should not be cut down for the theme park again. The river’s buffer zone should remain,’ demanded the association’s president, Prof. T.J. Renuka Prasad.

‘Response with a scientific report’

‘Many objections have been received regarding the removal of trees, and we are going to respond to them with a scientific report. The university is committed to providing infrastructure that is convenient for students at an international level. For this, a scientific plan has been formulated with environmental concerns. The university has planted six lakh saplings in the Jnanabharati campus and is managing the bio-forest well,’ informed Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor S.M. Jayakar.

ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣವನ್ನಾಗಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಹಸಿರು ನಾಶಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆ

ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ: 419 ಮರ ಕಡಿಯಲು ಸಜ್ಜು

• ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲ, ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರ ಮುಂದಿದೆ ಜೈವಿಕ ವನ ಉಳಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವ
• ವೃಷಭಾವತಿ ನದಿ ಬಫರ್‌ ಝೋನ್‌ಗೆ ಧಕ್ಕೆ
• ನೂರಾರು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಮರಗಳ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಒತ್ತಾಯ

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಜೈವಿಕ ವನವನ್ನು ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣವನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರು ಮುಂದಾಗಿರುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲೇ, ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ 419 ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯಲು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದೆ.

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ  ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ  ‘ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಮಂತ್ರಿ ಉಚ್ಚತರ್‌ ಶಿಕ್ಷಾ ಅಭಿಯಾನ (ಪಿಎಂ–ಉಷಾ) ಯೋಜನೆಯಡಿ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಬ್ಲಾಕ್‌ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಶೋಧನಾ ಬ್ಲಾಕ್‌ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲು ₹100 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಯೋಜನೆ ರೂಪಿಸಿದೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ, ಸರ್ವೆ ನಂ. 6ರಲ್ಲಿರುವ 419 ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದೆ. ಮನವಿ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿರುವ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ, ಜೂನ್‌ 20ರಂದು ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ ಹೊರಡಿಸಿದ್ದು, ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯಲು ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡುವ ಮುನ್ನ ಆಕ್ಷೇಪಣೆಗೆ 10 ದಿನದ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡಿದೆ.

‘ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ರೀತಿಯ ಕಟ್ಟಡ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡಬಾರದು. ಜೈವಿಕ ವನವನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಿ, ಉಳಿದಿರುವ ಎಲ್ಲ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು ‘ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣ’ವನ್ನಾಗಿಸಬೇಕು’ ಎಂದು ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರಿಗೂ ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ವಾಯುವಿಹಾರಿಗಳ ಸಂಘದ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಮನವಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವ ಈಶ್ವರ ಬಿ. ಖಂಡ್ರೆ ಅವರು, ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣವನ್ನಾಗಿ ಘೋಷಿಸುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕಡತ ಮಂಡಿಸಲು ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

‘ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣವಾಗುವ ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗ ನೂರಾರು ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯಲು ಹೊರಡಿರುವುದು ಆಕ್ಷೇಪಾರ್ಹ. ನೂರಾರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಬೆಳೆದಿರುವ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸುವುದು ಸರಿಯಲ್ಲ. ವೃಷಭಾವತಿ ನದಿಯ ಕಾಲುವೆಯೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಪರಿಸರ ನಾಶಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡಬಾರದು. ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಕೆಲವು ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪುಷ್ಪಗಳ ಗಿಡಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ’ ಎಂದು ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ವಾಯುವಿಹಾರಿಗಳ ಸಂಘದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಟಿ.ಜೆ. ರೇಣುಕಾಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.

‘ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿದೇ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎಂಬ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ಮನೋಭಾವ ಸರಿಯಲ್ಲ. ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿಯಂತಹ ಅರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯುವುದರಿಂದ ಪರಿಸರ ನಾಶ ಮಾಡಿದಂತಾಗುತ್ತದೆ’ ಎಂದು ಪರಿಸರ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತ ವಿಜಯ್‌ ನಿಶಾಂತ್‌ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

‘419 ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯಲು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಿರುವ ಸರ್ವೆ ನಂ.6ರ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಜೈವಿಕ ವನವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ‘ಸಹ್ಯಾದ್ರಿ ವನ’ ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರಿಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ಮರಗಳಿದ್ದು, ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಬೇಕು’ ಎಂದು ಸ್ವಯಂ ಜಾಗೃತಿಯ ಪರಿಸರ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತರು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.

 

ಯಾವ ಮರಗಳಿಗೆ ಕತ್ತರಿ?

ಅಶೋಕ ಮರ, ಬಾಗೆಮರ, ತಾರೆಮರ, ಮತ್ತಿ, ತುಪರೆಮರ, ಹೊನ್ನೆ, ಕಕ್ಕೆ, ಬನ್ನಿ, ಹುಣಸೆ, ಕಮರ, ಬಸವನಪಾದ, ಬೇಲದಮರ, ಬೀಟೆಮರ.

 

 

‘ಬಫರ್‌ ಝೋನ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಥೀಂ ಪಾರ್ಕ್’

‘ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾಜ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಇಲಾಖೆ ‘ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್‌ ಥೀಂ ಪಾರ್ಕ್‌’  ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲು ಗುರುತಿಸಿರುವ ಜಾಗ ವೃಷಭಾವತಿ ನದಿಯ ಬಫರ್ ಝೋನ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಜೈವಿಕ ವನ–1ರ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿದೆ’ ಎಂದು ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿ ವಾಯುವಿಹಾರಿಗಳ ಸಂಘದ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

‘ಥೀಂ ಪಾರ್ಕ್‌ಗೆ ಗುರುತಿಸಿರುವ 25 ಎಕರೆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ವೃಷಭಾವತಿ ನದಿಯ ಹರಿವಿದ್ದು, ಒಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಚೆಕ್ ಡ್ಯಾಂ ಸಹ ಕಟ್ಟಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಚಿಟ್ಟೆಗಳು ತುಂಬಿ ತುಳುಕುವ ಪ್ರದೇಶವೂ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಈಗಾಗಲೇ, ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಒಂದು ಸುಂದರ ತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಅರಳಿ ನಿಂತಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಗ್ರಂಥಾಲಯ, ಆಡಿಟೋರಿಯಂ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ತರುವಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ, ಮತ್ತೆ ಥೀಂ ಪಾರ್ಕ್‌ಗಾಗಿ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡಿಯುವುದು ಬೇಡ. ನದಿಯ ಬಫರ್‌ ಝೋನ್‌ ಉಳಿಯಬೇಕು’ ಎಂದು ಸಂಘದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಪ್ರೊ. ಟಿ.ಜೆ.ರೇಣುಕಾ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.

 

‘ವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕ ವರದಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ’

‘ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಹಲವು ಆಕ್ಷೇಪಣೆಗಳು ಬಂದಿದ್ದು, ವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕ ವರದಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸಲಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗುವ ಮೂಲಸೌಕರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಅಂತರರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಒದಗಿಸಲು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ, ಪರಿಸರದ ಕಾಳಜಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕವಾಗಿ ಯೋಜನೆ ರೂಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಜ್ಞಾನಭಾರತಿಯ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರು ಲಕ್ಷ ಸಸಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೆಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು, ಜೈವಿಕ–ವನವನ್ನು ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ’ ಎಂದು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದ ಕುಲಪತಿ ಎಸ್‌.ಎಂ. ಜಯಕರ ಅವರು ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು.

 ₹1.71 crore payment in January 2024 for CA site allotted by BDA

BBMP neglects hospital site registration

• Leased money paid 13 years after allotment
• Registration process delayed by Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone officials
• Officials slow due to pressure from private hospitals: Allegation
• CA site measuring 3,432 sq m
• Leased money of ₹1.71 crore
• Annual lease amount of ₹31 lakh

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: BBMP has neglected to register the Civil Amenity (CA) site allotted by BDA for building a hospital even after paying the lease amount for one and a half years.

The BBMP paid ₹1.71 crore for the 3,432 square meter CA site allotted by the BDA in the Sir M.  Visvesvaraya 2nd Block Layout on January 17, 2024. However, the BBMP Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone officials have not yet taken action regarding the registration of this site.

The CA site was allotted to the BBMP and the BDA had issued an allotment letter on January 6, 2011. It was stated that ₹1.71 crore as lease money, i.e. ₹5,000 per square meter, and ₹31.11 lakhs should be paid annually. Even after 11 years, the BBMP had not taken any action. A special report on this was published in ‘Prajavani’ on October 7, 2022 under the title ‘BBMP Forgotten Hospital Site’. After this, the BBMP initiated the process and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's Madhya Pradesh had paid the lease money in 2024.

Even after one and a half years of paying the lease, the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Zonal Commissioner and Joint Commissioner have not conducted the registration process. 

Also read… Hospital at a cost of ₹21.25 crore ₹21.25 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ

Private pressure to pay:

 'There is a shortage of multi-specialty and maternity hospitals in Kengeri area. Although there is about one acre of land, it is not being registered. BBMP officials who have given preference to private hospitals are unnecessarily delaying the hospital construction process,' complained Shivakumar of Jayaprakash Narayan Vichar Vedike.

MLA S.T. Somashekhar, who had written a letter to the officials and the Deputy Chief Minister to pay the BBMP lease money for the land allocated by the BDA, keeps telling the officials to register even after paying the lease money. However, the officials have not started the registration process.

Permission to pay fees: Satish

'We were not aware of the CA land allocated by the BDA. MLA S.T. Somashekar drew attention to this in a recent meeting. The matter has been reviewed. There was confusion about under which ‘heading’ the registration fee and other expenses for the registration of the hospital site should be paid. It was resolved and permission was given last week to bear the expenses. The Joint Commissioner and Assistant Revenue Officer will take further action,’ informed BBMP Rajarajeshwari Nagar Zone Commissioner Satish. Rajarajeshwari Nagar Joint Commissioner was not available for comment.

Hospitals to Health Department: Suralkar Vikas Kishore

‘The site registration processes should be completed by the respective zone officers. Once the site comes into BBMP’s possession, it will be taken to the Health Department and development work will be carried out. Meanwhile, there is a proposal to hand over all the big hospitals built by BBMP to the Health Department. Due to shortage of doctors and staff, facilities are not being provided in many big hospitals. "Therefore, it has been decided to hand over the management to the health department and the government will take further action in this regard," said Suralkar Vikash Kishore, Special Commissioner of Health and Sanitation Department, BBMP.

ಬಿಡಿಎ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಸಿಎ ನಿವೇಶನಕ್ಕೆ 2024ರ ಜನವರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ₹1.71 ಕೋಟಿ ಪಾವತಿ

ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ನಿವೇಶನ ನೋಂದಣಿಗೆ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ

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• 3,432 ಚದರ ಮೀಟರ್‌ ಅಳತೆಯ ಸಿಎ ನಿವೇಶನ
• ₹1.71 ಕೋಟಿ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಣ
• ₹31.ಲಕ್ಷ  ವಾರ್ಷಿಕ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಮೊತ್ತ

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಆಸ್ಪ‍ತ್ರೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲು ಬಿಡಿಎ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ನಾಗರಿಕ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ (ಸಿಎ) ನಿವೇಶನಕ್ಕೆ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಮೊತ್ತ ಪಾವತಿಸಿ ಒಂದೂವರೆ ವರ್ಷವಾದರೂ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಮಾಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ ವಹಿಸಿದೆ.

ಸರ್‌ ಎಂ. ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ 2ನೇ ಬ್ಲಾಕ್‌ ಬಡಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಡಿಎ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ 3,432  ಚದರ ಮೀಟರ್‌ ಅಳತೆಯ ಸಿಎ ನಿವೇಶನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ₹1.71 ಕೋಟಿಯನ್ನು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ  2024ರ ಜನವರಿ 17ರಂದು ಪಾತಿಸಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ರಾಜರಾಜೇಶ್ವರಿ ನಗರ ವಲಯದ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಈ ನಿವೇಶನ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಈವರೆಗೂ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿಲ್ಲ.

ಸಿಎ ನಿವೇಶನವನ್ನು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿಗೆ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿ, ಬಿಡಿಎ 2011ರ ಜನವರಿ 6ರಂದು ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಪತ್ರವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿತ್ತು. ಚದರ ಮೀಟರ್‌ಗೆ ₹5 ಸಾವಿರದಂತೆ ₹1.71 ಕೋಟಿ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಣ, ವಾರ್ಷಿಕವಾಗಿ ₹31.11 ಲಕ್ಷಗಳನ್ನು ಪಾವತಿಸಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇದಾದ 11 ವರ್ಷವಾದರೂ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ‘ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ’ಯಲ್ಲಿ 2022ರ ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್‌ 7ರಂದು ‘ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಮರೆತ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ನಿವೇಶನ’ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯಡಿ ವಿಶೇಷ ವರದಿ ಪ್ರಕಟವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇದಾದ ನಂತರ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ, ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಡಿ.ಕೆ. ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್‌ ಅವರ ಮಧ್ಯಪ್ರದೇಶದ ನಂತರ 2024ರಲ್ಲಿ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಣ ಪಾವತಿಸಿತ್ತು.

ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಪಾವತಿಸಿ ಒಂದೂವರೆ ವರ್ಷವಾದರೂ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯನ್ನು ರಾಜರಾಜೇಶ್ವರಿ ನಗರ ವಲಯ ಆಯುಕ್ತರು, ಜಂಟಿ ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ನಡೆಸಿಲ್ಲ. 

ಖಾಸಗಿ ಒತ್ತಡಕ್ಕೆ ಮಣೆ: ‘ಕೆಂಗೇರಿ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲ್ಟಿ ಸ್ಪೆಷಾಲಿಟಿ, ಹೆರಿಗೆ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ಕೊರತೆ ಇದೆ. ಸುಮಾರು ಒಂದು ಎಕರೆ ನಿವೇಶನವಿದ್ದರೂ ಅದನ್ನು ನೋಂದಾಯಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಖಾಸಗಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಣೆ ಹಾಕಿರುವ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು, ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯನ್ನು ಬೇಕೆಂದೇ ವಿಳಂಬ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ’ ಎಂದು ಜಯಪ್ರಕಾಶ್‌ ನಾರಾಯಣ್‌ ವಿಚಾರ ವೇದಿಕೆಯ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್‌ ದೂರಿದರು.

ಬಿಡಿಎ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ನಿವೇಶನಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಣ ಪಾವತಿಸಲು ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯವರಿಗೆ ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದು ಒತ್ತಡ ಹಾಕಿದ್ದ ಶಾಸಕ ಎಸ್.ಟಿ. ಸೋಮಶೇಖರ್‌, ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಹಣ ಪಾವತಿ ನಂತರವೂ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಎಂದು ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ನೋಂದಣಿ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿಲ್ಲ.

Also read… Hospital at a cost of ₹21.25 crore ₹21.25 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ

ಶುಲ್ಕ ಕಟ್ಟಲು ಅನುಮತಿ: ಸತೀಶ್‌

‘ಬಿಡಿಎ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಸಿಎ ನಿವೇಶನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಶಾಸಕ ಎಸ್‌.ಟಿ. ಸೋಮಶೇಖರ್‌ ಅವರು ಇತ್ತೀಚಿನ ಸಭೆಯೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆದರು. ಈ ವಿಷಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ನಿವೇಶನದ ನೋಂದಣಿಗೆ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಶುಲ್ಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಇತರೆ ವೆಚ್ಚಗಳನ್ನು ಯಾವ ‘ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆ’ಯಿಂದ ನೀಡಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಗೊಂದಲವಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಪರಿಹರಿಸಿ, ಕಳೆದ ವಾರ ವೆಚ್ಚ ಭರಿಸಲು ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಜಂಟಿ ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಹಾಯಕ ಕಂದಾಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಮುಂದಿನ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ’ ಎಂದು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ರಾಜರಾಜೇಶ್ವರಿ ನಗರ ವಲಯ ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಸತೀಶ್‌ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು. ರಾಜರಾಜೇಶ್ವರಿ ನಗರದ ಜಂಟಿ ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗೆ ಲಭ್ಯರಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಗೆ: ಸುರಳ್ಕರ್‌ ವಿಕಾಸ್‌ ಕಿಶೋರ್

‘ನಿವೇಶನ ನೋಂದಣಿ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಆಯಾ ವಲಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೇ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕು. ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ವಶಕ್ಕೆ ನಿವೇಶನ ಬಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ವಿಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ನಡುವೆ, ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವ ಎಲ್ಲ ಬೃಹತ್‌ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಗೆ ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವವಿದೆ. ವೈದ್ಯರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿ ಕೊರತೆಯಿಂದ ಹಲವು ಬೃಹತ್‌ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ ನೀಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ, ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಗೆ ಹಸ್ತಾಂತರಿಸಲು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಿದ್ದು, ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದೆ’ ಎಂದು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ನೈರ್ಮಲ್ಯ ವಿಭಾಗದ ವಿಶೇಷ ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಸುರಳ್ಕರ್‌ ವಿಕಾಶ್‌ ಕಿಶೋರ್‌ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

 Monitoring of PET bottle buyback obligation by manufacturer's

District committee for plastic waste management

• Monitoring of plastic bottle producers' obligation
• Strict implementation of plastic waste management rules
• Pollution Control Board's cooperation with the district-level committee

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: To control plastic bottle waste in the state, a district-level monitoring committee has been formed under the leadership of the District Commissioner to monitor the compliance of bottle producers with the obligation to buy back.

The Forest Department has issued an order specifying the duties and responsibilities of the committee formed to monitor and implement the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) in the management of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

The order for the formation of the monitoring committee and the removal of concrete around trees was released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday at an Environment Day event.

Special attention should be paid to the management of PET bottle waste, and plastic management rules should be implemented and plastic waste should be controlled. A district level monitoring committee has been formed to reduce plastic pollution, control plastic use and implement procedures.

The district level committee should be provided administrative support by the district office of the State Pollution Control Board. It has been directed in the order to coordinate and prepare reports.

It has been stated that the primary responsibility of the district level committee is to ensure that manufacturers, importers and brand owners involved in the manufacture and sale of PET bottles are complying with the obligations of ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR).

Guidelines: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging under the Plastic Waste Management Rules in the Environment (Protection) Act.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has launched the EPR portal to centralize the registration process of manufacturers, importers, brand owners (PIBOs), plastic waste recyclers, and plastic waste to fuel processors. Accordingly, it has directed the State Pollution Control Boards to complete the registration application process.

Monitoring Committee

Chairman – Deputy Commissioner, Members – Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, District Superintendent of Police, Deputy Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Members of the concerned local body (Municipality/City Corporation/Panchayat), Member Convener – District Environment Officer of the State Pollution Control Board.

Committee Responsibilities

* To collect records from manufacturers, brand owners, local manufacturers and to compile accurate data on the quantity of PET bottles produced, used and sold in the district.

* To verify the data submitted in the EPR portal and annual reports in EPR at CPCB. The Pollution Control Board should review and monitor the action plans of the registered bottle manufacturers along with the local bodies.

* Manufacturers and brand owners in the district should ensure that awareness and publicity is taken on the collection, segregation and return procedures of PET bottles as per their EPR responsibilities.

* The committee should meet once in three months, review the progress and discuss the issues. A brief report with action points and findings should be submitted to the head office of the State Pollution Control Board.

Minimum one meter Space should be there around the Tree

Order to remove concrete around trees

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The Forest Department has issued an order that one meter of concrete, stone, and cement blocks placed around roadside trees in cities should be removed immediately.

The bases of trees on roads are being covered with concrete, asphalt, or interlocking pavers. This has adversely affected the healthy growth and survival of trees, and is affecting the nutrition of roots due to improper air and water inflow.

Roadside trees should be left with no space around them, and their roots should not go deep, so that they do not fall in the rain, wind, and cause loss of life and property. In addition, as per the directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on May 21, 2025, at least one meter of space should be left around trees. Therefore, all types of constructions should be removed.

The order has directed that henceforth, the directions of the National Green Tribunal should be followed while greening all the cities in the state.

National Green Tribunal order as follows

 25(ii) Direct the Respondents to remove concretization around trees, so as to

ensure a minimum breathing space of 1 metres around trees, as held by the Order,

doted: 23.04.2013, in 0.A. No. 82/2013, Aditya N. Prasad Vs Union of India & Ors;

78. "(i) To prevent the damage of the root system of trees the area of 1 meter

should be left de-concretized around the base of the trees where ever possible

while construction of the pavements or roads to facilitate percolation of water to

the roots. The area should be leveled with earth/soil and grass may be planted

where ever it is possible. It is also suggested to discourage concretization/tiling of

central verge of the roads/pathways.

(i) On narrower roads and paths, as far as possible, unpaved or katcha effective

area of at least 1square meter be left around the trees.

•  33 packages; Tender for solid waste disposal
• 7 years; Contract period
• ₹544 crore; Estimated cost per year
• Tender invited on May 28
• Pre-bid meeting held on June 9
• New conditions after pre-bid meeting

BSWML engineers made urgent changes to allow minister's close aides: Contractors alleged

Violation of rules in garbage tender

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: In the tender called for 33 packages for waste disposal, new conditions and exemptions were added beyond the rules after the pre-bid process was completed.

The Bangalore Solid Waste Management Company (BSWML) had invited 33 section-wise tenders for primary waste collection, secondary waste transfer, and collection of street sweeping garbage within the BBMP limits on May 28. The contractors have alleged that the engineers have added a new appendix by imposing exemptions and conditions that could not be discussed in the pre-bid meeting held on June 9.

It was mentioned that five years of service would be considered from the financial year 2019-20 to the year 2023-24 to get the waste disposal tender. This was modified and the year 2024-25 was added instead of the financial year 2019-20. Due to the lockdown due to Covid, not much work was done in the year 2019-20. The financial turnover was low. However, the contractors had carried out the maintenance work with difficulty. These contractors are not being considered now.

BSWML engineers have been included in the financial year 2024-25 with the aim of facilitating those who have newly obtained contract registration. It is said that financial turnover will not be considered in this year. But the contractors have complained that the new annexure states that they will consider the service, which is a violation of the law and rules.

Tenders for 33 packages have been invited as per the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. The financial bid for the full amount of the package should be submitted on the KPP portal itself. However, the new rule that the monthly usage fee of each vehicle should be paid to the BSWML engineers in a sealed envelope three days before the final day of the tender is alleged to be a violation of the KTPP Act.

‘The decision to award BSWML engineers to the problem arising among the contractors of the partnership who get the seven-year tender contract is final,’ they said. However, if the partners give the engineers an officer without resolving their problems, there will be bias. Anyone can be blacklisted,’ the contractors expressed concern.

Confusion: BSWML had invited tenders for 89 packages for waste management in September 2022. The tender was cancelled due to technical bid eligibility issues. When the tender was invited for the second time in January 2023, some were disqualified in the qualification round, which led to the matter reaching the court stage. The government had told the court that it would conduct a fresh tender process. Accordingly, tenders have been invited for 33 packages after getting approval from the cabinet. Now confusion has arisen again.

Legal advice sought: Lokesh

‘The court has ordered that the previous financial year should have ended three months before the financial capacity is verified. In the waste package, instead of considering solid waste management services in the year 2019-20, we have included the year 2024-25 after taking the opinion of our legal experts. We have also included the year 2024-25 in the amount of solid waste management work performed. This is not a violation of the rules. We did not do this to facilitate the ministers' close associates or anyone. This applies to the 33 packages as well,' said BSWML Chief General Manager Lokesh.

Transparency Act Violation: Balasubramaniam

'New matters that were not discussed in the pre-bid meeting have been added. The Karnataka Public Procurement Transparency Act has been violated. Conditions have been urgently relaxed to facilitate the ministers' close associates. This will cause problems for about 80 contractors,' alleged S.N. Balasubramaniam, General Secretary of the Bangalore Metropolitan Cleanliness and Lorry Owners-Contractors Association.

High Court objects to condition of obtaining approval from departmental minister

Solid waste disposal: Re-tender stayed

Bengaluru: The High Court has granted an interim stay to the re-tender, which imposed the condition of obtaining approval from the departmental minister for the implementation of the contract for solid waste disposal under the BBMP limits.

A single-judge bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna heard a writ petition filed by S.N. Balasubramaniam, general secretary of the ‘Bangalore Metropolitan City Cleanliness and Lorry Owners’ and Contractors’ Association, challenging the conditions in the re-tender invited by ‘Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited’ (BSWML) in May.

During the hearing, High Court advocate P. Prasanna Kumar, appearing for the petitioner, said, ‘This same bench had recently disposed of the writ petitions filed by several contractors challenging the tender rules invited by BSWML in 2023. Similarly, it had ordered the state government and BBMP to ‘complete the tender process within four months’.

‘As per this order, a re-tender has now been called. However, in the re-tender notification, a condition has been imposed that the necessary approvals be obtained from the competent authorities and the implementation should be done urgently with the approval of the departmental minister. This is completely contrary to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act-1999,’ he expressed strong objection.

‘Furthermore, it is also a violation of the affidavit filed by the Advocate General in the court on behalf of the government.’

The bench, shocked by this statement, questioned the government's lawyers, saying, "Why did the minister of the department come?" and criticized the government's move.

To this, government's lawyer, Supriya Hegde, said, "The Advocate General will come and present his arguments in this case. We should give him some time for that."

Considering this, the bench allowed the petitioner's interim plea and ordered an interim stay on the re-tender. The hearing has been adjourned to the 19th.

Four-month deadline: BSWML had invited tenders for 89 packages for waste management in September 2022. The tender was canceled due to technical bid eligibility issues. When the tender was invited for the second time in January 2023, the matter reached the High Court level as some people were disqualified in the qualification round. The government had filed an affidavit in the High Court that it would conduct a re-tender process. The High Court had ordered on April 22, 2025, that the re-tender should be finalised within four months.

On May 28, BSWML had invited re-tenders for 33 section-wise packages instead of 89 packages for primary waste collection, secondary waste transfer and street sweeping within the BBMP area. The contractors had also alleged that the engineers had added a new annexure imposing exemptions and conditions that could not be discussed in the pre-bid meeting held on June 9.

 Trouble on roads where white topping, black topping work is underway

Potholes not to be closed until work is completed

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: In addition to the problem of potholes on developed roads in the city, people are falling into ditches and vehicles are getting stuck in mud and mud on roads where development work is underway.

Work is being done to white topping and black topping on many major roads in the city. This work will be going on for several months, and the work of closing the potholes on such roads is not being done. ‘Anyway, we will completely concrete it. We will close everything together,’ say BBMP engineers.

‘Vehicle traffic has been difficult on the roads that have been full of potholes for four months, and there are no signs of the work being carried out quickly,’ said J.C. Road trader Mohammed.

White topping work is underway from Minerva Circle to the Town Hall. Although this work has been started for six months, not even 10 percent of the work has been completed. J.C. There are hundreds of potholes on the road and in front of the town hall. However, they are not even doing the work of filling them with wet mix. The contractors who are carrying out the work say, ‘Since we are pouring concrete on the road, we will lose money if we put asphalt on it now.’ BBMP engineers who should fill the potholes and facilitate smooth traffic are not around.

Due to the road development work going on in many areas of Chamarajpet, Gandhinagar, Malleshwaram, Mahalaxmi Layout, Rajajinagar, vehicular traffic on the road has become difficult. Most of the potholes have been filled without filling the potholes. ‘If the road is to be developed properly, it will be difficult for some days. We should cooperate,’ BBMP engineers are saying.

‘We do not mind waiting for a few days or months. However, the road development is not completed even after a year. It does not facilitate vehicular traffic. Many motorists are falling due to mud and mud. The problem increases when it rains. Citizens are falling because the ditches dug for the work are not properly closed,’ complained Bhimesh of Rajajinagar.

The work on West of Card Road, Hosakerehalli Main Road, and Vaiyali Kaval Road has been delayed, and the contractors have been fined by the BBMP. However, citizens complain that the work has not picked up speed.

‘While carrying out road works, one side should be allowed for vehicle traffic. Leaving the potholes as they are and allowing vehicles to pass will only cause more trouble. Therefore, if the work on one side is completed and the other side is opened for smooth vehicle traffic, then a lot of problems will be solved,’ many citizens have demanded.

 Despite spending ₹10 crore per kilometer, there is chaos

White topping still no solution to potholes

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: Even roads that have been spent ₹10 crore per kilometer on concreting (white topping) instead of asphalt (black topping) have not been free from potholes.

BBMP has been planning to white topping all the main and sub-main roads of the city for many years. Many roads have been white topping. White topping work has started on many roads at a cost of ₹1800 crore. However, potholes are appearing on the white topping road, which was completed four years ago. These are not being repaired either.

It has not been a year since the white topping work that took three or four years on BVK Iyengar Road was completed, but potholes are visible there. The BBMP's promise that there will be no problems for about 25 years is a lie here. BVK Iyengar Road is just one example of how even the white-topped road is not free from potholes.

Potholes can be seen on many white-topped roads, including Mysore Road, Sumanahalli Ring Road, Indiranagar Road, Nrupatunga Road. The BBMP is not repairing them. The locals themselves pour stones and bricks found on the side of the road. Otherwise, the traffic police tell the driver of the concrete truck to pour concrete.

"For many years, there was a lot of trouble while white-topping BVK Iyengar Road. Even after the work was completed, potholes continue to appear here and there. No one comes if we complain. We have to clean up the mud and fix it ourselves," said Manohar, a trader.

A nightmare for citizens

When white-topping work begins on a road, residents in the vicinity have to endure at least a year of painful traffic. The work is carried out at a speed slower than a turtle. Vehicles cannot be taken out of their homes for months. Even the drainage work takes several months to complete. Thus, the white-topping work is a nightmare for citizens.

‘Six months have passed since the white-topping work of Govindarajanagar 1st Main Road began. Only one side of the drainage work has been completed on this road, which is less than a km long. They block one side or the other every day. Traffic is difficult,’ complained Chandrappa.

Neglect of ward roads

The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Commissioner all inspect the main and sub-main roads. However, the Zonal Commissioner, not the Chief Engineer, but the Ward Engineer does not pay attention to the ward roads where the citizens live. 

Although there is a separate grant for the development of ward roads and repair of potholes, the roads are full of potholes due to the indifference of the Zonal Commissioner. Even after the rainy season begins, no repair work is done. The remaining money from this grant is spent on other work. The potholes remain as they are. This is a problem of the wards in eight zones.

‘Many roads in Rajarajeshwari Nagar ward are full of potholes. When a complaint is made, wet mix is ​​applied in one or two places. After a week, all the stones go away and the potholes reappear. Even though asphalt is applied in some places, the potholes are not completely closed,’ complained T.E. Srinivas.