No open street in Indiranagar

BENGALURU: The High Court on Tuesday “restrained“ the government from holding the planned Open Street event on Indiranagar 100ft road on January 15.

The event's managers had developed cold feet even before the court's decision, given the “atmosphere“ in the city following the attack on women on New Year's Eve.

Indiranagar's residents, who staunchly opposed the event, had approached the court. Hearing their plea, Justice RB Budihal on Tuesday issued notices to the authorities and restrained them from going ahead with the event.

“We don't want to hold this event amid the negative atmosphere.The recent cases of molestation have affected Brand Bengaluru,“ said Shanthinagar MLA NA Haris, who was anchoring the event.

The Indiranagar 100ft road, dotted with pubs, eateries and retail outlets, was to be made traffic-free from 10am to 10pm on January 15.This was planned under the Brand Bengaluru campaign to promote the city on the tourist map. “Our event was to promote Brand Bengaluru and we don't want to take chances,“ Haris said.

Residents under the `I Change Indiranagar' banner argued that the event would parade their homes and residential layouts as pub destinations amid crumbling civic infrastructure. Haris said that the Open Street was planned from a development angle. “We were hoping to raise funds to address infrastructure problems.Well, we can't convince everyone.“