From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 27: The Dr Vishnuvardhan Memorial will come up in the government land and not on the forest land at Mailasandra village in Kengeri, outskirts of Bengaluru.

The Principal Secretary to Kannada and Culture Department Shalini Rajneesh clarified in Bengaluru on Saturday that the Regional Commissioner had issued an order declaring 29.28 acres of forest lands for public purpose in the year 2001.

Out of 29.28 acres, two acres have been granted for the Memorial, Shalini Rajneesh said.

Clarifying that the forest land had not been allotted for the construction of the Rs 11 crore Memorial, Ms Rajneesh said the plot has been demarcated as non-forest with the consent of departments of Forests, Revenue and Survey in 2001 itself.

However, the land is abutting the forest area, she said.

Pointing out that there were no trees on the land, Ms Rajneesh said more seedlings would be planted after construction of the memorial. A 350 seat auditorium and a museum would be constructed at the Memorial.

Asked about a filing of a PIL in the Karnataka High Court challenging the allotment of the forest lands, she said the court has not yet admitted the PIL.

The State Government advocate would place all records before the court if it was admitted, she said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would lay the foundation stone for the Memorial on December 30 at 10 a.m.

The memorial after the Kannada film star would be completed in 18 months.

The late actor’s wife Bharathi Vishnuvardhan thanked the government for taking steps for the construction of the Memorial.

She said Siddaramaiah would release the second series of Sahasasimha Comics, which features Vishnuvardhan.