New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar on Monday met defence minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and sought the Centre’s intervention to expedite several pending land transfers and infrastructure projects in Bengaluru.
The discussions focused on the use of defence land for public spaces, roads, slum redevelopment and the proposed Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project.
One of the key proposals was to develop around 730 acres of unused defence land near Iblur Firing Range as a permanent public park and green lung space for Bengaluru.
Shivakumar also sought a practical solution for 10 notified slums spread across 43.838 acres of defence land, along with immediate permission for repair and redevelopment works.
The deputy CM urged the defence ministry to review building and height restrictions around HAL Airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka, including the mandatory requirement of obtaining a no-objection certificate within a 20-km radius.
He also sought expediting the transfer of 13.709 acres of defence land and working permission for a proposed 24-metre road connecting Lower Agaram Road to Sarjapur Road via Ejipura Junction.
The meeting also covered defence land requirements for the Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project. Shivakumar requested that the proposed licence fee for the underground section passing through defence land at Mekhri Circle be reduced.
Other requests included early clearance for the transfer of 6.837 acres of defence land for an 18-metre link road connecting Bellary Road with Sarovara Layout, and transfer of 0.775 acres of Army land for widening the Mekhri Circle road from two lanes to three lanes.
Shivakumar said the proposed measures were crucial to improving Bengaluru’s connectivity, expanding public spaces and supporting planned and sustainable urban development.
“The world looks at India through Bengaluru,” Shivakumar said, stressing that the city needed the necessary infrastructure to realise its potential as a global city.
He urged the Defence Ministry to expedite the pending approvals and land-related matters.
