Horticulture dept twice objected to proposed building at Cubbon Park

Bengaluru: The proposed seven-storey building at Cubbon Park, that has raised the hackles of green crusaders in the city, seems to be coming up despite reservations expressed about it by the very custodian of the lung space. TOI has learnt that the horticulture department, which has jurisdiction over the park, had in 2016 raised objections to the proposed structure slated to come up at the place where the old EC office now stands.

A senior official with the horticulture department, on condition of anonymity, told TOI that even a few months ago, they had registered their opinion pertaining to the high court building project with the government during a high-level meeting. “Though the building spot per se doesn’t come under the jurisdiction of the department, the park area has to suffer the adverse impact of such a mega construction. Movement of heavy equipment and vehicles and deep-digging can harm the micro and macro environment around. We had said that the building construction won’t be good for the park. Now, the building project has been approved,” he added.

D Venkatesh, director, department of horticulture, however, said they are yet to receive official communication on how the construction will be taken up and related details. “We had communicated our opinion on the project when the government had asked for it. However, the details can’t be disclosed at this moment,” he added.

Cubbon Park deputy director Kusuma G confirmed that the horticulture department had objected to the proposed project in 2016. “At that time, the plan was to chop about 17 trees around the project area. That plan was later dropped. Now the project has been approved at a higher level and we have followed the rulebook,” she added.

Kusuma said the old EC building was under the jurisdiction of the horticulture department till 2013 when it was handed over to the high court administration. “When the boundaries were fixed for the green space in 2015, the building was clearly marked out of the park’s jurisdiction,” she added.

Another official with the department said the high court administration had earlier attempted to take over a building housing the wine board inside Cubbon Park. “We had said no for the same,” he added.


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