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.
Because of its possible implications for the proposed 17-km tunnel road between Hebbal and Central Silk Board, the bill has sparked particular concern.
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. 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. Sources said the project would require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently. 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.
“There is a misconception about the bill. No one should worry. DK Shivakumar | Chief minister