Gayathripuram Park under threat from encroachment

By M.T. Yogesh Kumar

Mysuru: Even as the Supreme Court’s directives to clear footpath encroachments appear to have had little impact in Mysuru city, children’s play equipment inside a public park in Gayathripuram has been removed to make way for house construction, triggering public outrage.

Encroachments have come up over the years on the Gaya- thripuram-Kyathamaranahalli Road, near the Hutta (Anthill) Temple, also known as Bhakta Kumbara Mutt. Road widening work was planned in the area and NR MLA Tanveer Sait performed the ground-breaking ceremony about six months ago.

As per the plan, over 30 percent of the front portion of houses built by the temple priest’s family has to be cleared for the road widening. Accordingly, MCC staff have marked the portions to be demolished.

However, with part of their houses facing demolition, three families have now started constructing new houses inside the adjacent public park.

Children’s play equipment removed

Foundations have already been laid and preparations are underway for construction of the walls. Residents have strongly objected to the move and demanded immediate action to prevent further encroachment of the park.

To facilitate the construction, children’s play equipment, including a metal slide, has been dismantled. Residents also allege that two large trees in the park have been marked for felling.

According to maps of the Mysuru Development Authority, the then City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) had allotted only 30 sq. yards to Bhakta Kumbara Mutt in 1983. Locally, the Mutt is referred to as the Hutta Temple.

Originally, only one small house was permitted on the site for the residence of the temple priest. Over the years, however, 4 to 5 families of the priest’s relatives have constructed houses on the land, allegedly without valid documents.

Encroachment began 20 years ago

Residents say that except for one family, which has electricity bills, none of the occupants possesses documents to establish their claim over the property.

One priest’s family has been residing at the site for generations. However, residents say encroachment began around 20 years ago and the number of families occupying the area has now increased to 6 to 7. They allege that the original family’s rights are being undermined by houses constructed by their relatives.

Residents have urged the authorities to intervene before the walls of the new houses go up, and take steps to protect the park and preserve the children’s play facilities.