Shivakumar tells Bengaluru Golf Club to develop another golf course in city

Bengaluru, Jun 24 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday suggested that the Bengaluru Golf Club develop another golf course in the city as it would give greater meaning to the club’s 150-year celebrations.

He was speaking at the Bengaluru Golf Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations held at the club premises on Sankey Road here.

Congratulating the club on completing 150 years, Shivakumar said, “This is the first private event I am attending after becoming Chief Minister. More than being the Chief Minister, I am a member of this club, and that is why I am here. What I say may not necessarily please you. I do not need your applause. Whether you like it or not, I must speak the truth.” Recalling the club’s rich history, Shivakumar said a golf

club with a 150-year legacy should by now have developed three or four golf courses in Bengaluru.

“A person who forgets history cannot create history. None of you are ordinary people. Among you are officials and industrialists who have the capacity to build Bengaluru. In my opinion, a golf club with a 150-year history should have, by now, developed three or four golf courses in Bengaluru. What is lacking among you,” he asked.

Recalling a remark by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Kempegowda International Airport, Shivakumar said Vajpayee had observed that world leaders first visited Bengaluru before travelling to other cities in India.

“I have referred to that statement several times in the Assembly. Time has not passed you by. Even now, there is time. I know your capabilities,” he said, according to a statement issued by the CM’s office.

Referring to the club’s lease renewal, Shivakumar said, “The permission was renewed because Bommai (former CM Basavaraj Bommai) was in office. Had I been there, I would not have renewed it in the same manner. If I had to renew it, I would have imposed a condition that you should establish one or two more golf courses for future generations.” The CM said he was more interested in writing history than reading history, emphasising that criticism dies, but work remains.

“Let those who want to criticise continue doing so. The more powerful you are, the more enemies you will have. If you are less powerful, you will have fewer enemies. If you are not powerful at all, you will have no enemies. Only those who walk can stumble,” he added.

Sharing an anecdote from his visit to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Shivakumar said the Chief Minister of Maharashtra had asked him why Karnataka was not signing investment agreements.

“I replied that there was no need. Bengaluru’s climate and human resources are unmatched. While Silicon Valley in California has around 1.3 million engineering professionals, Bengaluru has about 2.6 million. The city has the highest number of medical colleges and produces more than 13,000 doctors every year. There are 270 engineering colleges here,” he said.

He noted that Bengaluru has a population of about 14 million and around 13.5 million vehicles.

“That means there is nearly one vehicle for every person. Other cities have roads covering about 19 per cent of their area, whereas Bengaluru has only about 8 per cent road coverage. This has worsened traffic congestion,” he said.

Stressing that Bengaluru was not a planned city, the Chief Minister said, “If we want to expand it further, we need to think seriously about this. Even now, if you can find around 200 acres of land, do so.” The CM said he was keen on increasing green cover in Bengaluru and has instructed the Forest Department to identify forest land within an 18-km radius of Bengaluru and develop parks instead of leaving such land vacant.

“Beyond Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden, where else do we have large open spaces,” he said.

“You may criticise me if you wish, but my guidance should reach you. Acquire land over the next five years. Invite me to lay the foundation stone for another golf course. When I proposed the solar park at Pavagada, everyone laughed. Today, we have developed a solar park over 13,000 acres without acquiring even a single acre of land,” he said.

Referring to the proposed tunnel road project, Shivakumar said criticism was inevitable.

“Even now, when we are moving ahead with the tunnel road project, criticism continues. Can we demolish existing buildings across Bengaluru and rebuild the city. Let critics criticise,” he said.

The CM said the state government was planning to extend the double-decker corridor to 50 km and was also working on expanding the Metro network in Bengaluru. PTI AMP SA