SAVE ALL SAINTS CHURCH LAND

All saints Church, Bangalore, a living Heritage is in existence since 1870. Since more than three years, the membrs of the congregation are sitting in the edge in fear of losing its green splendor and are since protesting knocking every door possible to avoid Bangalore Metro Rail corportion from acquiring 883 square Metres or about 9500 Square Feet of land inside the Church which will result in losing its green cover of more than 20 trees which are more than 150 years old and causing air and noise pollution to nearly 50 inmates of which more than 20 are Senior citizens. This apart it will cause untold misery to more than 100 special children who are studying in "Arpana" an inter faith school for children suffering from cognitive deficiency syndrome.

1. Why does the members oppose this Public project?

Church members are not opposing the project.

In spite of the project having been shifted from across the Hosur road, the church has voluntarily given 3551.66 Square meters 38216 Square Feet of land just outside the campus for the same project. 

In the past they have given more than 1.75 acres of land to BWSSB for construction of a ground level water storage tank which is catering to Richmond Town, Langford Town, Austin town, Ashoknagar and Neelasandra areas.

HAVING GIVEN SUCH HUGE AREA OF LAND WHY SHOULD THEY HESITATE OR OPPOSE TO GIVE THIS SMALL PORTION OF LAND UNLESS THERE ARE PRESSING REASONS. 

The church is 152 years old Heritage building and will not withstand the shock of piling activity. We have seen and heard numerous buildings cracking or collapsing due to ongoing Metro work.

2. If the land is not given, will it impact the ongoing Metro work ?

Not at all. There are lot many other options available for Namma Metro to complete the project.

a. Metro has already acquired 103 linear metres of land inside the adjoining Bangalore Military School and that portion along with 12 metre of Campbell Road and cut open the stretch and the work is in full swing. this is in addition to 112 Metre of the church land which totals to 217 linear metres. All they need to do ia some engineering adjustments and slight change in their planning. In Delhi, Ashram Metro Station has been constructed in just 151.6 linear metres.

b. Unlike other stations in Gotigere-Nagawara Corridor where they have land acquired is just 25 to 30 metres wide where as the church land already acquired by them is 41 Metres wide. Metro has more land already than required.

c. This is the only undergound station in this stretch where the land has been acquired on a permanent basis thereby the land has become BMRCL's own property. BMRCL can use any number of floors upwards to create any facility that they need if they have any shortage.

APPEAL TO ALL TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION TO SAVE THE CHURCH LAND

EBENEZER PREMKUMAR ALL SAINTS CHURCH    Contact the author of the petition