Hubli lung space under threat

hubli: one more lung space in an already choking residential locality of hubli has come under the gaze of land sharks. the site (of 20 gunta 268 sq ft area) worth at least rs 50 lakh was earmarked by the hdmc 25 years ago to be developed as a park at mahaveer colony, adjacent to shantinagar in bengeri area. the kutchi dasha oswal jain mahajan wants to construct a community hall on this land.in fact, when the plan for the creation of mahaveer layout was mooted in 1967, a condition was laid that this piece of land, as per corporation rules, would be the "green area". also, when the layout was completed in 1978, it was very clear that saplings should be planted and the area should be fenced before handing over the property to the civic body for maintenance. but the present row has its roots in the resolution passed in 2001 when sarala bhandge was the mayor. it states the park area should be handed over for the construction of community hall. this has made the residents angry as they allege the officials in the civic body and certain politicians are co-plotting with the builders. the issue came to light with the residents organising a series of protests and filing objections led by senior youth congress leader ish kohli. the most shocking development was the "missing" of relevant documents supporting the claims of the residents that the area was allotted as a lung space. the argument in support of the organisation is that they are dedicated for public service. no one questions the social service rendered by the organisation. but the mahaveer colony residents have one question: does hubli need a lung space or one more concrete structure? sources in the hdmc revealed that there are some officials who are all set to support the organisation for the construction of the hall. the idea is by leasing out the land to the organisation, an additional revenue can be earned for the fund-starved civic body. "should the civic body take a short-sighted decision to barter away precious breathing space," asks madhava menon, a resident. the residents have decided to demonstrate in front of the hdmc on thursday during the general body meeting of the council. when firdous konnur took over as mayor, he was more assertive as far as keeping the twin cities clean and green. "my priority is to create more parks in hubli-dharwad," he had stated. now, it is to be seen whose priority will be considered first.