Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has promised to resolve the standoff over the proposed redevelopment of the BDA shopping complex in Indiranagar in two months.
Representatives of I Change Indiranagar, a federation of resident welfare associations, and United Bengaluru, a civic NGO, submitted a memorandum to Parameshwara during his city rounds on Monday, urging the government to drop the redevelopment plan.
Residents feel redeveloping the BDA complex would further commercialise Indiranagar and suggested building a six-acre park at the place. "This is a beautiful place. Indiranagar has already been commercialised. We don't want any more commercial complexes here. We request the government to scrap the idea of rebuilding the complex here," a resident said.
A member of I Change Indiranagar said: "Commercialisation is the biggest issue in our area. Many pubs and bars are illegally operating here. The new BDA complex is not going to change our lives for the better."
Parameshwara said: "The city is developing rapidly and many commercial establishments are coming up. The tendering is already over. There is no illegality in the process."
He said the contract had been awarded to a reputable agency but hastened to add that a meeting of citizens and the authorities would be convened next week to resolve the issue. "We will take the final call after going into the pros and cons of the project. Hopefully, the issue will be settled in two months," he said.
Bangalore Central parliamentarian P C Mohan and CV Raman Nagar MLA S Raghu have supported the residents' campaign against the project.