The disappearance of a park signboard and the construction of retaining walls around a vacant site in HRBR Layout have sparked concerns among residents, who suspect that land reserved for a public park may be under threat of encroachment.

The site, located adjacent to the Outer Ring Road and next to a Bangalore One centre, has long been identified in official records as a park under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Residents question developments at the site

Locals claim that a cement board identifying the property as a park stood at the location for several years but disappeared last week.

Residents also pointed to the ongoing construction of retaining walls around the property, raising doubts about the nature of the work being carried out.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the signboard had not merely fallen or been damaged but had been completely removed from the site.

A trader operating nearby claimed that work on the retaining walls was being monitored by individuals visiting the location regularly, adding to public suspicion.

Authorities deny encroachment

Responding to concerns, officials maintained that the land continues to be reserved for park development and denied any encroachment.

An assistant executive engineer stated that the site remains designated as a park and that the Bangalore One office currently operates from the premises.

According to officials, recent heavy rains caused a tree to fall onto the Bangalore One building, damaging a portion of the structure and affecting the signboard.

Authorities said the area merely requires cleaning and maintenance and insisted that no unauthorised occupation of the land has taken place.

Site also faces waste dumping problem

Apart from concerns regarding the missing signboard, residents pointed out that the vacant land has increasingly become an informal dumping ground.

Piles of mixed waste and construction debris were reportedly found scattered across the property, prompting calls for immediate cleaning and better monitoring.

With the retaining wall work continuing and questions remaining unanswered, residents have urged civic authorities to provide greater transparency regarding the future of the land and ensure that public spaces earmarked as parks are protected