Intro
Survey urges green development, seeks public consultation before Mysore Lamps site decision by government.
CH NEWS
Bengaluru
More than four out of five residents surveyed in Malleswaram have opposed the Karnataka government’s proposal to build a convention centre at the historic Mysore Lamps site, with many instead favouring its preservation as a public green space, according to a community survey conducted by Greenpeace India.
The survey, carried out under Greenpeace India’s Bengaluru Rising campaign, covered 245 residents, of whom 81% described the proposed convention centre as a “stupid” idea. The findings were released during Namma Hasiru Nadige, a community walk organised by Preeti4Malleswaram and Greenpeace India on Sunday to highlight the importance of protecting the neighbourhood’s green spaces.
Residents, environmentalists, urban planners and community groups participated in the walk, carrying banners displaying the survey findings and calling for the Mysore Lamps premises to be preserved as an urban green commons rather than developed into another concrete structure.
Addressing participants, Preeti Sundarejan of Preeti4Malleswaram said the survey reflected the community’s clear preference for safeguarding the site for future generations. “Real development means creating more public green spaces where communities, children and elders can thrive,” she said.
Greenpeace India campaigner Amruta S.N. stressed that Bengaluru’s liveability depends on protecting parks, trees and open spaces that support biodiversity, public health and climate resilience.
Kadu Malleshwaram Galeyara Balaga president B.K. Sivaram described Mysore Lamps as an integral part of Malleswaram’s heritage and urged the government to preserve the site as a public green space. He also suggested renaming it after Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
The organisers said the survey reflected growing public demand for development that prioritises ecological restoration and community well-being over further concretisation, and urged the Karnataka government to engage with residents before taking a final decision on the future of the site.