Karnataka HC notice to Karnataka govt on PIL against sections of BBMP Act
Bengaluru, Feb 28: The High Court of Karnataka has issued notice to the state government on a public interest litigation challenging the Constitutional validity of several sections of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Act, 2020.
The Citizens Action Forum has challenged Sections 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 and 86 of the Act claiming that they "are prima facie violative of several provision of the Constitution of India."
The petition has also alleged that Sections 75 and 77, which allow creation of Constituency Consultative Committee and the Zonal Committee, "that in effect operate so as to supersede the Ward Committees and render them otiose."
The Constitution allows for the creation of ward committees but not other panels. "These committees have been established in blatant violation of the spirit of Article 243-S" of the Constitution, the petition says.
The petition came up for hearing before a division bench headed by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale.
Section 76 of the BBMP Act prescribes the function of the Constituency Consultative Committee while Section 78 outlines the powers and functions of the Zonal Committee.
The petition alleges that the "Constituency Consultative Committee exercises executive and supervisory powers over the Zonal Committee which in turn exercises executive and supervisory powers over the Ward Committees."
Alleging that "the impugned Sections are in blatant disregard of Part IX-A of the Constitution, its objectives and reasons, and renders the Ward Committees, established by constitutional mandate, nugatory and otiose," the petition calls for their quashing.
Citing an example of how the ward committees have been made toothless', the petition said, "The Government of Karnataka has on 01.04.2022 announced that the BBMP's budget outlay for the year 2022-23 will be Rs.10,484 Crore. The Government of Karnataka has on 08.05.2022 conditionally approved an additional outlay of Rs.377.5 Crore. Of these funds, Rs.924 Crore are earmarked for Ward level works. These public monies will be utilized by the Constituency Consultative Committees and the Zonal Committees, to the exclusion of the Ward Committees."
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Nandi Hills cable car rides may begin by 2027 as land acquisition nears completion: Report
Bengaluru: Provided there are no delays, tourists will be able to enjoy cable car rides above Nandi Hills by mid-2027, as the land acquisition process atop the hills nears completion, reported the Times of India on Tuesday.
According to officials from the Karnataka Tourism Department, the process to acquire 3.5 acres of private land at the top of Nandi Hills — essential for building the upper terminal — is expected to be completed by November 2025. Land for the lower terminal has already been acquired.
Dynamicx Ropeway Private Limited, which is executing the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with the tourism department, has submitted its final project plans for approval to planning authorities in both Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur districts.
"Various departments, including the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), should provide their clearances for the project before the final plans can be approved. It will involve a series of queries from the departments," TOI quoted a senior official from the tourism department as saying.
The required approvals are expected within the next couple of months, following which the civil work will begin. "We have allotted 1.5 years' time to the company for the completion of the work once it begins," the official added.
The idea of a ropeway at Nandi Hills has existed for several decades but faced multiple delays due to land acquisition issues and environmental clearances. However, the current developments mark a significant push toward implementation.
Once operational, the cable car system will feature 50 semi-closed cabins offering panoramic views as they travel between the two terminals. The lower terminal will include parking for over 200 cars, 110 two-wheelers, as well as buses and vans. It will also have a waiting area for up to 600 people.
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