Campaign against construction of scam tainted and highly controversial Makkaji Chowk Commercial Complex at the most congested / polluted K.R. Circle

01) Makkaji Chowk Complex: Mother of all Scams

http://www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/starofmysore/makkajichowk.htm

02) Impending change: View Pictures / Images / Photos of the shops in Makkaji Chowk in Mysore that will be pulled down to accommodate the new commercial complex by clicking one of these two links. - PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM [The Hindu Saturday, Jun 04, 2005]

http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/04/images/2005060409070301.jpg

http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/04/images/2005060409070301.jpg

03) CONTROVERSIAL SITE: A view of Makkaji Chowk in Mysore, which is to be handed over to a private company for the construction of a shopping complex. - PHOTO: M.A. Sriram [ The Hindu, Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 ]

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/14/images/2006061418010301.jpg

04) PRIME PROPERTY: The land where the Makkaji Chowk complex is slated to be constructed near K.R. Circle in Mysore. Photo: M.A. Sriram [ The Hindu, Monday, July 11, 2006 ]

05) Pl. click here to view the picture of the ATTEMPTED EVICTION: Tension prevailed at Makkaji Chowk in Mysore on Monday after lorry owners resisted eviction of their vehicles by the corporation personnel. PHOTO: M.A. Sriram [ The Hindu, Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 ]

06) MP seeks inquiry into Makkaji Chowk project [ The Hindu Nov 22, 2005 ]

http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/22/stories/2005112215620300.htm

There has been public opposition to the construction of the complex

MYSORE: The controversy over the proposed Makkaji Chowk Commercial Complex continues to simmer with Mysore MP C.H. Vijayshankar urging the Government to stall the project and order an inquiry.

Mr. Vijayshankar told presspersons here on Monday that he has informed Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh of the scandal surrounding the project and drew his attention to the raging controversy.

"I have submitted a letter questioning the propriety of the Mysore City Corporation authorising the construction of the complex on a private plot of land on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis. This has also been opposed by the public," Mr. Vijayshankar said.

The Chief Minister is reckoned to have given him a patient hearing.

On learning of the alleged scam, Mr. Dharam Singh reportedly directed Urban Development Secretary P. Ravikumar and Chief Secretary B.K. Das to submit a report and stall work on the complex till further orders are issued, Mr. Vijayshankar claimed.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly B.S. Yediyurappa has said that the party had learnt about the scam, and has sought a report from the Government.

07) Association threatens to take Makkaji Chowk project to court [The Hindu, Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006]

Corporation accused of entering into a deal favouring a private company.

The foundation stone for the project is to be laid.

Public interest litigation seeking cancellation of the lease agreement to be filed.

Citizens' associations to protest and submit a memorandum to the Government.

08) Eviction of lorries from Makkaji Chowk suspended after protest [ The Hindu, Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006]

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061315070300.htm


09) MCC failed to assess commercial potential of Makkaji Chowk project: citizens' forum [ The Hindu, Monday, July 11, 2006 ]

10) Makkaji Chowk complex will be ready in 18 months' [ The Hindu, Friday, July 14, 2006 ]

Land yet to be handed over to the company to commence work.

The project provides for the construction of a shopping mall, including a multiplex.

The MGP ( Mysore Grahakara/Consumers' Parishat/Organisation ) and the ACICM ( Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore ) have threatened to approach the Supreme Court against the project.

11) Most answers to the question "Do you want a shopping complex at Makkaji Chowk?" given by a cross section of citizens that were published in Star of Mysore (City Eveninger), July 9, 2006.

P. Vishwanath, First Mayor of Mysore (1983):

The situation in 1974, when the Makkaji Chowk project was conceived, was different. Now the situation has changed totally. We don't need the complex now as such complexes have come up in residential layouts all over the city. Moreover, if you want to build such a massive complex, you have to widen all the roads leading to it, which is simply not possible.

C.D. Krishnegowda, Former Curator, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens:

Makkaji Chowk area should be made into a beautiful park and kept as an open space.

Susan Diwakar, Teacher, BUDS Pre-school:

No. Old charm of buildings, the roads and the whole ambience in the proposed Makkaji Chowk area should be maintained at any cost. The heart of city is where Mysore's charm is and its unique style lives. Nothing should be done to disturb this area.

Dr. H.A.B Parpia, Former Director, CFTRI:

Makkaji Chowk is too small a place to be considered for developing it into a commercial complex of the future. Constructing a shopping complex there will only worsen the congestion and pollution that are already bugging that place. Shopping complexes must not be encouraged any further in the heart of the city and instead be spread out in different extension. The central part of the city does not permit any more shopping complexes.

M. Tara, Architect, Anu & Tara, Associates:

Never. A shopping complex at Makkaji Chowk will worsen the traffic congestion in that area. In my view, that area should totally be allocated for parking and growing trees.

Vidya Devaiah, Past Chairperson, Mysore Ladies Circle-9:

No, unless and until there is ample reasons, Makkaji Chowk shopping complex is not needed.

Shalini Goel, Member, Ladies Circle:

Let Makkaji Chowk area remain as it is, and let the parking facility be more organised.

12) Bhoomi puja sans transfer of land [ Deccan Herald, Friday, July 14, 2006 ]

13) Waiting for land at Makkaji Chowk [ Deccan Herald, Saturday, July 15, 2006 ]

14) Condensed versions of some citizens' views that were published in the column 'The Big Question' in the Time of India, Mysore (Print) Edition on Saturday, July 15, 2006.

Just for Rs.3 crore revenue per annum, is it worth damaging the city's ambience? If a commercial complex comes up at this place, it will make the area more congested. Also, the public will be inconvenienced. If need be, it could be 3 km away from the Mysore Palace. This will also decongest traffic. The public too should urge the officials to give up the project.
-M.B. Srinivas, Gokulam III Stage.

It should be shifted to a location away from the central business district.
-Shoba M., Krishnamurthypuram.

Any vacant land like Makkaji Chowk should not be allowed to be gobbled up by land sharks like what happened in the BMIC project. This area should be notified as a park area by the urban development authorities and developed as a lung space. This is because the entire location around Krishnaraja Circle and Gandhi Square is already congested.
-Col K Chandrashekar (Rtd.), Kuvempunagar.

It should be shifted to some other place.
-Narasimhamurthy M S, Aravindanagar.

Since 1963, the acquisition of 117 shops has been a hurdle. A COD (Corps of Detectives) inquiry has been pending for the past 10 years regarding double payment for 12 shops. Also, an advocate is approaching the Supreme Court on the issue. - H.R. Bapu Sathyanarayana, Convener, MGP.

15) Signature campaign against Makkaji Chowk [ Deccan Herald, Sunday, July 16, 2006 ]

Conclusion/Inference:There's been a lack of transparency and underselling of the lease to the private investor and also lack of (proper/scientific) studies to potential impact on traffic, environment, green / lung / open space at the City's most busiest, congested and polluted K.R. Circle.

Therefore, we the undersigned oppose the Makkaji Chowk Project (Commercial Complex) as it's not in the best interests of the city from the/its economic, social, heritage and environmental point of view.

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