Amusement park project near KRS: Karnataka HC asks for government affidavit on safety study on dam
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government, which has permitted the development of an amusement park on the lines of Disneyland near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) in Mandya district, was directed by the High Court on Friday to submit an affidavit clarifying if any technical assessment was done on dam safety before approving the project proposal.
The project is being undertaken near the dam at an estimated cost of ₹2,663 crore under the public-private partnership.
The High Court bench of Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi, which heard two public interest litigations (PILs) filed against the construction of the amusement park, has also demanded information regarding a proposal to construct infrastructure facilities to accommodate 20,000 to 25,000 people in an open theatre along with parking place to attend the proposed programme of ‘Cauvery Aarti’ near the KRS.
The petitioners, K Boraiah and four other farmers from Krishnaraja Sagar in Srirangapatna taluk, and Sunanda Jayaram, an agriculturist from Gejjalagere in Mandya taluk, have questioned the tenders issued by the government inviting proposals from private companies to develop the project and maintain it for 30 years. Sunanda Jayaram has questioned the in-principal approval given by the Water Resources Department to the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) to utilise around Rs 92 crore to create permanent infrastructure for ‘Cauvery Aarti’.
Their PIL points out that the authorities had neglected the safety of the KRS while proposing the projects. They also argued that the HC had, in January 2024, banned all types of mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km radius of the dam till the completion of a study by experts. The HC had also directed authorities concerned to ensure that the decision be taken by a committee on dam safety, set up as per the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
The government earlier pointed out that the tender for the project was not complete. While that for installing a statue of the Cauvery is complete, the work order was yet to be issued. The government documents produced before the court had reference to an old technical assessment report with regard to the impact of installing the statue and not other construction works.
The judges, hearing the petition, have asked the government as well as the CNNL to file affidavits clarifying on the technical assessment of the work on the project near the dam that had been undertaken after the State Advocate-General sought time to answer the specific query of the court on whether prior technical assessments were carried out in this regard, although assuring the court that safety of the dam has been kept in mind while approving the projects and that apprehensions of the petitioners are unfounded.
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Rahul authenticates article on ex-army chief's 'memoir' on India-China conflict; LS impasse remains
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday authenticated a copy of an article in the Lok Sabha which cited former army chief M M Naravane's unpublished 'memoir' but it failed to end the impasse over the matter, leading to a brief adjournment.
With Gandhi insisting on raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Chair Krishna Prasad Tenneti moved on to other Speakers and asked Harish Balayogi of the TDP, an NDA constituent, to speak on the President's address after three opposition MPs refused to speak, showing solidarity with Gandhi.
As Balayogi spoke, opposition MPs raised slogans and the ruckus continued in the House, prompting the chair to adjourn it till 3 PM.
Tenneti asked Congress MP KC Venugopal to address the chair properly and not make any casual references to the chair.
As soon as Gandhi was asked to speak on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, he cited the Speaker's ruling of Monday and authenticated the copy of the article.
"I have authenticated it," he said.
To authenticate a document, a member has to submit a signed copy of it affirming that it is correct to the best of his knowledge.
Tenneti, who was chairing the House, asked him to table it and said "we will examine it and get back".
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Speaker passed a ruling on the matter and after that Gandhi should not raise the issue repeatedly.
Gandhi insisted that he is the Leader of Opposition and takes objection to the term 'permission' when he has to speak.
As the impasse continued over Gandhi seeking to quote the article, Tenneti adjourned the proceedings till 3 pm.
A row had erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Gandhi sought to quote from an unpublished 'memoir' of the former army chief on the 2020 India-China conflict, but faced strong opposition from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other BJP members who accused the Congress leader of misleading the House.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla disallowed Gandhi from raising the issue, but he did not relent and several opposition leaders also rallied behind him. The House was adjourned twice and later for the day amid uproar as heated exchanges took place between the treasury and opposition benches.
Our President’s Address was about the path that India has to chart and the direction in which India has to move.
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 3, 2026
Today, on the world stage, the main issue in international affairs is the conflict between China and the United States.
This is central to our President’s Address.… pic.twitter.com/JJbMDF9ZsS
