The government is closing three-fourths of a 350-year-old temple tank as an alleged favour to private land developer in Vasanthapura, Bengaluru.
As per sources, the tank was built in the 17th century by Maratha King Shivaji’s father Shahaji Raje Bhonsle. The temple dates back to the days of Chola dynasty (4th to 12th century), and was built in a clearing in the midst of a lush forest.
As per reports, a developer in question, N Balakrishna Naidu, is going all out to get a broad approach road to his land, and the bureaucracy is on his side. A good road adds immensely to the real estate value of his land.
Work is afoot to close almost three-fourths of the tank to build a road about 50 feet wide. Naidu offered a part of his land to the temple, and the Muzrai authorities, in a letter to the revenue authorities, cited this act of ‘generosity’ to justify building a road over the tank.
Officials have recently altered the survey of the kalyani (Kannada term for ‘stepped temple tank’), shrinking its extent. However, Muzrai Department officials, under whom the temple falls, claimed that they were not aware of what was happening at the tank.
In 2013, the Muzrai Department dropped its plans to cover up the tank following efforts by citizen activists.
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