Residents of Koramangala, HSR Layout and Bellandur are aghast over the decision of the organizers of the Swachha Bengaluru initiative to request Mantri Developers to be the main sponsor of the event.
It may be recalled that Mantri Developers is one of the two real estate promoters that is at the epicentre of the controversy over a mixed use development project opposite Agara lake. The project is coming up on the wetlands that lead to Bellandur lake. A case against the project proponents is pending before the National Green Tribunal and a stay has been granted prohibiting further work on the project.
The case is next coming up to the National bench in Delhi on December 17 and 18.
In a kick off program to mark the Swachha Bengaluru drive, the Managing Director of Mantri Developers, Sushil Mantri shared the dais with Satish Reddy, the MLA of HSR Layout. It appears to be difficult to believe in the long arm of coincidence when Sateesh Reddy’s constituency directly abuts the controversial project.
Residents in various email groups in the area have voiced their protest and wonder whether a developer who is constructing a Rs 3000 crore project can whitewash all his sins merely by spending a few lakh rupees on dustbins, brooms and promotional T Shirts. It is certainly questionable as far as the ethics of the exercise is concerned.
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