Bengaluru: Green signal for 32 projects after breakthrough in Defence land dispute

Bengaluru: Finally some good news for city residents as some of the long pending infrastructure projects, held up due to defence land dispute, may finally take off. A meeting between Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, top officials from state government and local MPs and MLAs held on Thursday afternoon led to major breakthrough regarding disputes over defence land at various places in the city, including the recent JC Nagar school land issue.   

Out of nine issues pertaining to 33 projects raised by the state government, Defence Ministry agreed to settle eight cases out of court, allowing the civic authorities to take up the various pending works on a priority basis, except one in C.V. Raman Nagar.

All the four schools will continue to function. Army authorities have agreed for alternative land. Discussion also focused on defence land affecting development projects. Defence minister in principle has agreed to resolve all the issues. Now, the onus is on the state government to make necessary arrangements.
—D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme implementation

The meeting, which was attended by Union Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Lok Sabha MP P.C. Mohan, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, MLAs C. Raghu, Muniraju and Aravind Limbavali, Chief Secretary Aravind Jadhav, BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad and other senior officials of the state government, BBMP and BDA, witnessed dialogue to settle the land disputes. With the defence ministry now agreeing to part with their land, it will get over 400 acres of land in the state, including some land parcels in Anekal, in lieu of land lost in the city. 

The schools will continue. We will find a solution for the problem. Army will not shut down any school that could affect the children’s future.
—Manohar Parikkar, Union Defence Minister

Parikkar accepts most demands
According to highly placed sources who attended the meeting, Parikkar accepted most of the demands put forth by the state government, which were in limbo for over four decades.  “The meeting lasted only 30 minutes with Mr Parikkar agreeing to part with 38 acres of land in the city for civic projects at the earliest. Army officials were given directions to facilitate the transfer of land. Except the one way railway over bridge in CV Ramannagar, all other proposals were instantly approved,” they added.

JC Nagar school row
Sources said that when the JC Nagar school land controversy was raised, Mr Parikkar assured the state government that the schools will not be closed. “He directed the army officials to take up a joint survey work and later consider either leasing out the land to the school or give up the land rights. His request for alternative plot of same size was readily agreed in the meeting by the state government,”' sources said.Meanwhile Ramalinga Reddy, who had attended the meeting, informed that state government has assured the army that alternate land will be provided where ever army wants.