Experts, former bureaucrats, politicians oppose parks, BMLTA amendments, write to governor

Published - August 26, 2026 10:37 pm IST - Bengaluru

The controversial Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows 5% of park land to be sold, leased, gifted, exchanged or mortgaged for public utility projects undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities, government companies or local bodies | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

The opposition to the amendments made to the Parks and Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) is increasing, with experts in multiple domains, former bureaucrats, environmentalists, and activists filing objections to the amendments.

On Wednesday, Bangalore South MP from the BJP Tejasvi Surya, former forest secretary A.N. Yellappa Reddy, retired IAS officer A. Ravindra, activist Dattaraya Devare, and several others submitted their objections and urged Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to refer back the bills to the state legislature for reconsideration, citing constitutional, environmental, and institutional concerns.

In separate letters to the governor, Mr. Surya said both bills were passed by the two houses of the state legislature on August 24 without substantive debate, despite objections from citizens, civil society organisations, experts, and former senior government officials.

On the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 2026, Mr. Surya raised concerns over the provision allowing up to 5% of land or buildings in government parks and gardens to be alienated through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage, or other means for public utility projects.

He also linked the amendment to proposed infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. He said the Tunnel Road Project could require about 5 acres of Lalbagh for a tunnel and shaft, while the proposed Hebbal Short Tunnel could require around 3.45 acres of Hebbal Lake. He said Tunnel Road’s DPR also envisaged parking and a commercial complex around the shaft.

According to Mr. Surya, Bengaluru has around 1,353 parks spread across approximately 1,308 acres. A 5% diversion could potentially put around 65.4 acres of park land at risk. He said Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, which together cover around 437 acres, could potentially see nearly 22 acres exposed to diversion under the provision.

On the BMLTA amendment, Mr. Surya objected to the insertion of a savings clause retrospectively validating decisions, plans, operations, and proceedings relating to projects initiated between the commencement of the BMLTA Act in 2022 and notification of the BMLTA Rules, 2026.

The MP said the amendment could retrospectively legitimise major projects reportedly worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore, including the Tunnel Road Project estimated at over ₹40,000 crore, without the scrutiny envisaged under the BMLTA framework.

He also pointed out that citizen groups have challenged Rule 24, which contains a similar savings clause, before the Karnataka High Court and that the matter is pending.

Published - August 26, 2026 10:37 pm IST

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