Ambedkar Bhavan at Radio Park, environment hit

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 19, 2016: Citizens of Mangaluru and most other places are immune when today, precious lung spaces and trees disappear regularly, on an every day basis. A 6 acre plot for the district administration complex at Padil faced a scaling down earlier, now the Radio Park at Urwa Stores, which had been neglected by the city corporation, is all set to house Ambedkar Bhavan and its bound to disappear sooner than later.

The land allocated  for Ambedkar Bhavan in the 1.61-acre Radio Park was confirmed by MUDA,  Mangaluru Urban Development Authority, when an activist, asked about it through an RTI application. The extent of land allocated for the Bhavan is not clear.

The order was issued by the then under secretary, urban development department V Rajendra on July 24, 2015. The order states that 1.61 acres in Derebail village of Mangaluru taluk was earmarked for parks and open spaces. As the land has been allotted for construction of Ambedkar Bhavan by the deputy commissioner, the land usage has been changed from parks and open spaces to public and semi-public use.


The then DC S K Das (1980-83) planned to develop the park with a water fountain. After his transfer, the corporation turned a blind eye to its development.

A knowledgeable person says that the CM will lay the foundation stone for the new DC’s office project at Padil on April 21. Even in the midst of record high temperatures prevailing, the government wants to cut hundreds of trees. Public have been concerned and complaining, but to no avail. Environmental  groups believe in action rather than complaining and looking on. May be not all are sensitive and bothered about this issue; support from the public is there but not visible, yet it is a matter of public interest which can not go ignored for long.

The Padil land allotted too has attracted serious hurdles, the deemed forest committee here and the divisional deemed forest committee said the land was not a deemed forest. It will be  challenged soon. Objections have been raised.