Bengaluru: Bowing to mounting pressure from citizen groups, resident welfare associations, walkers and opposition parties, chief minister DK Shivakumar Tuesday said the controversial Parks bill will be reintroduced during the Winter session of the legislature, likely in Nov-Dec, giving the opposition ample opportunity to debate it.The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows up to 5% of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, was passed by both Houses last week without debate amid opposition protests. BJP and JD(S) opposed the bill and petitioned the governor not to grant assent.Shivakumar said he was open to suggestions from both the opposition and the public and would revisit the legislation before taking a decision in the larger public interest.“There is a misconception about the bill. No one should worry. I will revisit the file and let the opposition debate it,” he said, adding that he would place before the public details of how park and civic amenity land was used during the BJP regime.The bill has sparked particular concern because of its possible implications for the proposed 17-km tunnel road between Hebbal and Central Silk Board. Sources said the project would require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.Lalbagh is home to the nearly three-billion-year-old Peninsular Gneiss, an ancient rock formation of ecological and geological significance. Citizen groups have opposed the use of park land, arguing that it could open the door to projects they describe as real estate development.The amendment allows the govt to alienate park land through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means, subject to an absolute ceiling of 5% of the total area. Such land can be used by govt departments, statutory authorities, govt firms, and local authorities for public utility projects.Shivakumar, however, maintained that the govt was committed to protecting green spaces and said it planned to develop four or five more parks in Bengaluru on the lines of Lalbagh Botanical Garden.The CM questioned the opposition’s objections, saying: “Go to Sadashivanagar and see; they gave away park space to RSS or some other organisation. I will share details about what was done during whose tenure; the list is long.“Quote:“There is a misconception about the bill. No one should worry. I will revisit the file and let the opposition debate itDK Shivakumar | Chief minister
