Residents oppose hotel at Metro station in Jayanagar

BENGALURU: A few days ago, a canteen near the Cubbon Park Metro station received a notice from the Horticulture Department for constructing a foundation for a building. Now the same Metro authorities have handed over a plot of land elsewhere for a hotel, sparking public outrage.

At the R V Metro station in Jayanagar, the area beside the park had been used for vehicle parking until now. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) suddenly gave permission for a private hotel on that parking space, signing a 12‑year lease agreement for Rs 54 lakh.

Local residents and Jayanagar MLA staged a symbolic protest on Tuesday against the BMRCL’s move. On Wednesdayday, Jayanagar MLA S K Ramamurthy lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta against the BMRCL Managing Director for leasing the land to a hotel. He is also preparing to file Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court.

The site is a greenbelt area with a park running along it. Commercial activity is not permitted there, and parking has already become a major problem. The MLA urged the Metro authorities not to allow any use of the land other than parking. He added that the matter would be raised for discussion in the Legislative Assembly as well.