<p>Buoyed by the High Court verdict in favour of the project, the BBMP will be launching its road widening work which will result in the felling of a large number of trees lined up on the stretch for several decades. <br /><br />It can be recalled that a widespread protest was held by the residents of Malleswaram against the BBMP’s decision. Some protestors approached the Karnataka High Court, but finally the litigants lost the legal battle. On Wednesday, Mayor Sharadamma, Deputy Mayor S Harish, MLA Ashwath Narayan and BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda will attend the foundation stone laying ceremony to kickstart the project.<br /><br />The BBMP on Tuesday cleared the shrubs and bushes along the stretch identified for widening. Speaking with Deccan Herald, Deputy Mayor S Harish reaffirmed the Palike’s resolve to finish work within 12 months and plant as many as 1,300 trees along the road.<br />Setting aside public fear that the beauty of Sankey Road and the Sankey Tank will be gone forever, the deputy mayor said, “People are making unnecessary fuss about the project. <br /><br />The charge that the Sankey Tank will die is baseless. We will develop a tree-lane by planting at least 300 trees after the completion of the project. We will also plant at least 1,000 trees in the area,” he added.<br /><br />Harish reminded that the Palike had reduced the proposed width of the road from 30 metres to 27 metres to protect trees. <br /><br />“The width of the road from Bhashyam Circle to Maramma Temple will be 27 metres, while from Maramma Temple to Yeshwantpur, it will be 45 metres.”<br /><br />The deputy mayor said the bund of the Sankey tank was not strong enough to bear the load of heavy vehicular movement. <br /><br />In order to strengthen the tank bund, the Palike will construct a retaining wall and pack it with soil to prevent the vibration of the tank bund, Harish said.<br /><br />In the meanwhile, people who fought a battle against the project said though they are reconciled to the High Court verdict, they would surely want the project to be finished within a year’s time.<br /><br />Dr Meenakshi Bharath, who had vehemently opposed the project, said any delay after the stipulated time to execute the work and lackadaisical attitude in planting saplings will be treated as contempt of court. In such a condition, the litigants will be compelled to drag the civic body to the court, she warned.<br /><br />Facelift<br /><br />* About 1.5 km road from Bhashyam Circle to Maramma Circle to be widened<br />* Project cost is Rs eight crore<br />* Close to 200 trees will be felled<br />* Palike has to execute the work in 12 months<br />* Palike intends to widen the stretch to 27 metres<br />* Project is to have a signal-free corridor from Sankey Road to Yeshwantpur<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Buoyed by the High Court verdict in favour of the project, the BBMP will be launching its road widening work which will result in the felling of a large number of trees lined up on the stretch for several decades. <br /><br />It can be recalled that a widespread protest was held by the residents of Malleswaram against the BBMP’s decision. Some protestors approached the Karnataka High Court, but finally the litigants lost the legal battle. On Wednesday, Mayor Sharadamma, Deputy Mayor S Harish, MLA Ashwath Narayan and BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda will attend the foundation stone laying ceremony to kickstart the project.<br /><br />The BBMP on Tuesday cleared the shrubs and bushes along the stretch identified for widening. Speaking with Deccan Herald, Deputy Mayor S Harish reaffirmed the Palike’s resolve to finish work within 12 months and plant as many as 1,300 trees along the road.<br />Setting aside public fear that the beauty of Sankey Road and the Sankey Tank will be gone forever, the deputy mayor said, “People are making unnecessary fuss about the project. <br /><br />The charge that the Sankey Tank will die is baseless. We will develop a tree-lane by planting at least 300 trees after the completion of the project. We will also plant at least 1,000 trees in the area,” he added.<br /><br />Harish reminded that the Palike had reduced the proposed width of the road from 30 metres to 27 metres to protect trees. <br /><br />“The width of the road from Bhashyam Circle to Maramma Temple will be 27 metres, while from Maramma Temple to Yeshwantpur, it will be 45 metres.”<br /><br />The deputy mayor said the bund of the Sankey tank was not strong enough to bear the load of heavy vehicular movement. <br /><br />In order to strengthen the tank bund, the Palike will construct a retaining wall and pack it with soil to prevent the vibration of the tank bund, Harish said.<br /><br />In the meanwhile, people who fought a battle against the project said though they are reconciled to the High Court verdict, they would surely want the project to be finished within a year’s time.<br /><br />Dr Meenakshi Bharath, who had vehemently opposed the project, said any delay after the stipulated time to execute the work and lackadaisical attitude in planting saplings will be treated as contempt of court. In such a condition, the litigants will be compelled to drag the civic body to the court, she warned.<br /><br />Facelift<br /><br />* About 1.5 km road from Bhashyam Circle to Maramma Circle to be widened<br />* Project cost is Rs eight crore<br />* Close to 200 trees will be felled<br />* Palike has to execute the work in 12 months<br />* Palike intends to widen the stretch to 27 metres<br />* Project is to have a signal-free corridor from Sankey Road to Yeshwantpur<br /><br /><br /></p>
