DK Shivakumar announces ₹10 crore for Lal Bagh development

Deputy Chief Minister (Dy.CM) DK Shivakumar today announced allocation of Rs 10 crore for the development of Lal Bagh.

Speaking to reporters after an inspection of the tunnel road entry spot and an interaction with the walkers and citizens as part of the ‘Bengaluru Nadige’, he said, “I had a fruitful discussion with walkers and citizens. Heard their grievances and suggestions. We have decided to allocate Rs 10 crore for the development of Lal Bagh. As part of that, we have decided to set up a gym to suit elderly and women.”

“We have decided to make a doctor and an ambulance available at Lal Bagh from morning to evening. The toilets at Lal Bagh will be made free from now on. I will also hold talks with the officials to form tree parks on the lines of Lal Bagh. We will give financial assistance for this,” he added.

Asked if he would continue Bengaluru Nadige programme, he said, “we will receive people’s grievances and suggestions by visiting all parks in the jurisdiction of Greater Bengaluru Authority.”

Asked about BJP’s criticism of GBA, he said, “BJP is not interested in Bengaluru’s development but only in politics. They could have expressed their opinions and suggestions in the first GBA meeting but they chose to abstain. If they object to GBA, let them boycott elections.”

Asked about Cabinet reshuffle, he said, “there is no Cabinet reshuffle, media is publishing rumours. Either the CM or me have to propose a Cabinet reshuffle but we have not. The High command will decide on this.”

Asked about CM’s dinner meet, he said, “they will discuss the elections for corporations, zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats. I also had a meeting of party workers on GBA elections.”

Ensure Tunnel Road project doesn’t affect Lal Bagh

“Lal Bagh is a public property and we will take all possible steps to protect it. There is no need of Lal Bagh land for tunnel road project. The entry and exit will be provided towards Ashoka pillar. There won’t be any damage to Lal Bagh due to tunnel road project,” he explained.

The Dy.CM, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, held a detailed interaction with the walkers and citizens at Lal Bagh as part of the Bengaluru Nadige. The DCM thanked the public for sharing their suggestions.

Replying to a question from a senior citizen on tunnel road affecting Lal Bagh, he said, “the tunnel road will not affect Lal Bagh at any cost. The tunnel road passes below the earth. The officials have given entry and exit near Lal Bagh rock, I will inspect the place. We will change the project plan if needed.”

Replying to a request for exemption from Occupancy Certificate and Completion Certificate for sites above 30×40 dimension, he said, “we gave exemption for 30×40 sites yesterday, we will take a decision on the larger dimensions.”