Were trees sacrificed for Indira Canteen?

City

Residents allege that the Burhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chopped down a huge tree to make way for Indira Canteen. Yet some BBMP officials deny the charge.

G. Manashaa

Bangalore, January 18, 2018: In its haste to build an Indira Canteen in Sarvagnanagara division, Queens Road, the BBMP allowed a huge tree to be cut, some residents of the area have alleged.

The owner of a tea stall opposite the canteen said a huge tree was cut but gave no other details. Ravi, a resident of Vasantha Road, said: “Trees were chopped to build a canteen here. The road looks different now without trees.”

The construction of the Canteen, adjacent to the Government Veterinary Hospital, began about two months ago. Earlier, the canteen was constructed near a railway bridge but forced to shift because it was on railway land.

Site of the alleged tree-cutting.

Suhail Ahmed, Revenue Officer of BBMP’s ward 63, said: “Many trees, including a huge one, were chopped from where the canteen is constructed now. The area was earlier used as a parking spot. Owing to the construction work, we suffered dust pollution as our office is close to the canteen.”

“What is the need for an Indira Canteen in a place that is surrounded by government offices? We all bring lunch from home. No one will eat there,” Ahmed added.

The revenue officer did not have the exact number of trees that were allegedly cut.

However, Sreenivas, the contractor who built the canteen said: “No trees were cut. The work started two months ago and was completed on time. No trees were harmed during the process.”

However, a BBMP corporator who requested he not be named said: “Only a few small trees were cut to clear the space around the canteen. No huge tree was cut.”

A similar complaint was posted on the website ichangemycity.com. “BBMP has uprooted a big tree in the corporation office on Queens Road to build Indira Canteen,” a person who identified himself as Guru said.

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