Iconic Banashankari temple to be defaced with an Indira canteen beside it

The iconic Banashankari temple in Bengaluru is all set to have a new neighbour. And it is an Indira canteen. The BBMP has started work on the canteen right next to the heritage temple.

However, the construction of the Indira canteen beside the ancient structure has met with stiff resistance from the residents of the locality.

Prakash S, a political activist opposed to the canteen's location, said it's sad that the BBMP is making use of temple land to set up an Indira Canteen. "There are several issues with the way the Palike has taken up the project. Officials chose the place in a hurry so that they could meet the August 15 deadline. How can government land meant for a temple be used to set up a canteen?" said Prakash to the Times of India. 

Manoj Rajan, special commissioner, BBMP, who's in charge of the Indira Canteen project, said the land on which the structure is coming up belonged to the civic agency.

The BBMP has been accused of choosing places to construct the canteens without discussing with the local residents.

In several locations, BBMP will cut trees to build the canteens. In wards like Konanakunte, Katriguppe, Kempegowda Nagar, Attur, Devarajeevanahalli, Benniganahalli, C V Raman Nagar, Garudacharpalya, Chinnappa Garden, the places identified for the canteens are dotted with trees, reports TOI.

When BBMP officials started to clear land to set up a canteen at Jayanagar ward, MLA B N Vijayakumar intervened.  

Recently, the wall of the 200 year old Sri Rameshwara Temple in Chamarajapete was also razed to construct an Indira canteen.

• Banashankari temple
• Indira canteen
• BBMP construction