The Karnataka assembly on Monday passed a Bill allowing a portion of public parks and gardens to be used for infrastructure and utility projects, a day after industrialist Gautam Adani met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.Under the Bill, up to 5 per cent of the total extent of any park or garden can be alienated for infrastructure or utility projects. Such use of the land “shall be considered as being in furtherance of public interest”.The Bill seeks to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, which is aimed at protecting and maintaining major public parks and horticultural gardens in the State, including Bengaluru’s iconic green spaces such as Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.The amendment comes amid the State government’s proposed 17-km tunnel road connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board. The project is expected to require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily during construction and another one acre permanently. Adani Enterprises Ltd has emerged as the lowest bidder for the tunnel road project.The development is significant as Adani Enterprises Ltd has emerged as the lowest bidder for the tunnel project, one of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s key infrastructure initiative.The timing of the Bill and Adani’s meeting with the Chief Minister has drawn criticism from the Opposition.Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that the amendment was aimed at facilitating the use of green spaces for infrastructure projects and accused the Congress government of adopting a “double standard” on the Adani Group.“Whenever Rahul Gandhi gets a platform, he criticises Adani. But the leader from his own party, Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has Adani visiting his home. Delhi talk is one thing, Karnataka’s actions are another,” Ashoka said.He also alleged that the government was seeking to use up to 5 per cent of Lalbagh’s land, amounting to around 10 acres, for infrastructure projects.The Chief Minister, speaking to reporters, said Adani had met him for the first time since he assumed office and that the group was undertaking several projects in Karnataka.“After I became Chief Minister, this is the first time he has come to meet me. They are doing a lot of work here,” Shivakumar said.Published on August 24, 2026