D.K. Shivakumar meets the Union Defence Minister in New Delhi. Photo supplied with the press release.
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has sought the Defence Ministry’s support to turn around 730 acres near the Iblur Firing Range into a permanent public park for Bengaluru, with ownership remaining with the Defence authorities and no commercial development permitted.
The proposal is one of seven land and clearance matters placed before the Ministry during his meeting with the Union Defence Minister on Monday. Addressing reporters later at Karnataka Bhavan, Shivakumar said the Minister had responded positively to the green park proposal.
Iblur park proposed as permanent lung space
The detailed proposal seeks to use the Defence land exclusively as a public park and lung space for the city. Shivakumar requested early resolution of the pending matters and acknowledged the Ministry’s cooperation with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the five Bengaluru City Corporations and other urban local bodies.
Land exchange and repairs sought for 10 slums
Karnataka has proposed transferring government land of an equivalent area at a suitable alternative location to address the future of 10 notified slums on about 43.838 acres of Defence land in Bengaluru. The State cited the difficulty of identifying land of equal value within the city.
It also sought urgent permission for repairs and redevelopment in these settlements, particularly in view of flooding during the monsoon.
Airport height restrictions and Skydeck raised
The State has requested a review of building height restrictions within a 20-km radius of HAL Airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka. While retaining flight-safety safeguards, it has proposed limiting the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) requirement to a 15-km radius from the aerodrome reference point.
At the press conference, Shivakumar also raised the proposed Bengaluru Skydeck. He said efforts had continued for two-and-a-half years, but the presence of two airports had led to a suggestion to locate it 26 km away. He sought treatment on a par with other States, saying the attraction needed a location accessible to tourists.
Defence land sought for roads and twin tunnel
For a proposed 24-metre road from Lower Agaram Road near the Government Hospital to Sarjapur Road via Ejipura Junction, the State requested early working permission. The road, along Bellandur Lake, is intended to improve east–south connectivity and ease pressure on the Inner and Outer Ring Roads. The project has already been tendered and awarded, according to the proposal.
For the Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project, Karnataka sought 2.039 acres of Defence land for a ramp near Hebbal and permission for the tunnel to pass beneath Defence areas near Mekhri Circle without disturbing the surface land.
The State objected to a proposed licence fee of 33% of the land cost, amounting to ₹60.72 crore, and requested a reduction to 2%.
Another request covers 6.837 acres for an 18-metre-wide link road connecting Airport Road (Bellary Road) to Sarovara Layout. The State said the alignment had been designed to avoid disruption to Defence operations.
At Mekhri Circle on Bellary Road, GBA has sought 0.775 acres from DGQA and PRTC to widen the existing two-lane road to three lanes and ease congestion on the airport route.
Shivakumar urged the Ministry to expedite all seven proposals to support Bengaluru’s connectivity and planned urban growth.
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