Week after its passage, Karnataka to withdraw parks bill amid outrage

The Karnataka government has decided to withdraw legislation passed by the state legislature last week that sought to allow portions of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, sources told India Today on Thursday.The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Act, 2026 is likely to be withdrawn by the means of an ordinance, they added. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had earlier said that the bill would be reintroduced in the Assembly so that the Opposition could get the opportunity to discuss it.The legislation has drawn widespread backlash from the public and opposition parties. The bill, passed by both houses of the state legislature, amends the 1975 Act governing prominent Bengaluru green spaces, including Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.MASSIVE OUTRAGE OVER PARKS BILLThe CM's proposal for reintroduction of the legislation in the Assembly had come following protests by citizen groups, resident welfare associations (RWAs), walkers, and opposition parties. Dubbed the Parks Bill, the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill was passed by the legislature last week without discussion, amid opposition protests in both the Legislative Assembly and Council for the resignation of Minister B Nagendra over his alleged involvement in a fund's embezzlement case.The opposition BJP and JD(S) have opposed the proposed legislation and even petitioned the Governor, requesting him not to give his assent. The amendment is significant in the context of the proposed 17-km tunnel road project connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board. The project reportedly requires around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.Lalbagh is home to the approximately three-billion-year-old 'Peninsular Gneiss' (huge ancient rock) and is a key ecological and geological heritage site; citizen groups have demanded that it should not be used for "real estate."The bill explicitly permits the state government to alienate park land by way of sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage, or otherwise, up to a maximum of five per cent of the total area.This applies strictly in favour of government departments, statutory authorities, government companies, or local authorities for public utility projects.It provides for establishing an authoritative evaluation mechanism headed by the Additional Chief Secretary to the government, alongside designated officers and expert domain professionals, ensuring that any proposed land utilisation is thoroughly evaluated before any recommendation is made to the state government.- Ends(With inputs from PTI)Published On: Sep 3, 2026 13:48 IST