Ashoka alleges ‘big lobby’ eyeing Jakkur flying school land

Bengaluru: The legislature Tuesday witnessed a heated exchange of words as opposition leader R Ashoka accused the govt of attempting to shut down the historic Jakkur aerodrome and hand over the prime land to real estate interests, triggering sharp rebuttal from the govt. Participating in a debate on Bengaluru's worsening infrastructure, Ashoka alleged a "top bureaucrat" is facilitating a "big developer" from Rajasthan to convert the 217-acre land parcel into a sporting hub.Claiming the land in north Bengaluru was originally gifted by the Mysore Maharaja, he said the flying school was envisioned to train aspiring pilots from poor communities. He recalled that former PM Jawaharlal Nehru laid its foundation. Ashoka said: "There are plans to convert it into an executive club, but the Bommai-led BJP govt cancelled it and reopened the flying school. But why has the state govt suddenly set its eyes on the land?"Responding to the allegations, energy minister KJ George said the flying school currently sees limited activity. "The school only trains 25 to 30 pilots. When I was Bengaluru in-charge minister, a flyover came up at the location and DGCA refused to give a licence, citing dangers during take-off. So I wrote to the chief minister about building a sporting complex. No decision has been taken till date on that," he said.Unimpressed, Ashoka shot back: "Why would the govt want Jakkur land to build a sporting complex? If you want to build one, acquire or buy land elsewhere." He sought to know why local MLA and revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda was silent on the issue.