In July 2024, the Karnataka government under CM Siddaramaiah announced the revival of the controversial Amusement Park project at Brindavan Gardens, near the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya district. The project, initially proposed in 2018 but shelved due to public opposition and political turmoil, aims to transform the area into a major tourist destination with a budget of Rs. 2,663 crore.

Key Features of the Project:

  • Scope: World-class amusement park, helipad, botanical garden, water park, techno-park, penguin zoo, wax museum, and more.
  • Land: 198 acres of government land.
  • Completion Timeline: 54 months.
  • Visitor Forecast: 20,000 daily visitors with 7% annual growth.

Concerns and Questions Raised:

  1. Safety and Environmental Impact:
    • Dam Structure: Karnataka High Court has banned explosives within a 20-km radius of the KRS Dam due to safety concerns. Has the project considered engineering safety measures?
    • Heritage Impact: Brindavan Gardens and the KRS Dam are heritage sites. Have potential negative impacts of modern facilities on the heritage landscape been evaluated?
    • Environmental Assessment: Is an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) being conducted to address potential construction and operational impacts?
  2. Economic Feasibility:
    • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Has a detailed economic feasibility study been done, including profit projections, ticket revenue, and overall benefit-cost analysis?
  3. Infrastructure and Resources:
    • Demand: Increased tourist traffic will require more electricity, water, sewage, and waste management. Are these requirements and their impacts addressed?
    • Existing Infrastructure: Can the current infrastructure in Brindavan Gardens and Mysuru City handle the anticipated increase in traffic and visitor numbers?
  4. Legal and Land Issues:
    • Legal Challenges: As the Cauvery River is an inter-state water body, are there legal considerations or disputes related to the project?
    • Land Acquisition: While the Deputy CM claims no land acquisition will be needed, there is confusion about whether farmers will be required to surrender land voluntarily.
  5. Public Consultation:
    • Stakeholder Engagement: Given the significant investment and scale, should there be a formal public consultation process to gather community input and address concerns?

Conclusion: The proposed amusement park project aims to boost tourism but faces substantial concerns related to environmental impact, safety, economic feasibility, and public opinion. It would be prudent for the government to address these issues thoroughly before proceeding with the project.

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