Veterinary hospital staff were razed to make way for KSIC silk showroom and office

The old staff dormitory at Queen’s Road Veterinary Hospital was recently razed. |Photo source: Jahnavi TR

Animal lovers in Bangalore work together, and the livestock and veterinary department recently leveled the ground in the old staff dormitory on Queen’s Road opposite the Super Professional Veterinary Hospital, making room for the Sillroom of Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd (KSIC).

In an order passed in late 2023, the government directed the department to transfer 1,700 square feet of land to Queen’s Road to KSIC to establish its Goddown, Sales Outlet and headquarters office buildings. Later in mid-2024, animal activists discovered information about the order and have been protesting ever since. Now, with the razing of the building about three months ago, activists say it seems impossible to stop the proposed project.

“They have destroyed the staff space on Queen’s Road, which is ridiculous for the Silk Showroom to come there. It shouldn’t have happened.”

At a time when there are not enough animal facilities in the city, activists question why even existing land is given away. “Why did the department give away this land without public consultation? The city’s animal shelters lacked and this space should be used to solve this problem. Instead, they are watching profits and building silk showrooms. It’s shameful.”

In 2024, animal activists took the legal route when two acres of land belonging to Chamarajapet Veterinary Hospital were transferred to the WAQF board. The High Court then stopped the transfer of the land and directed the department to maintain the status quo. However, in this case, activists think this is a cause of loss, as KSIC has started working.

The Queen Road hospital is the only 24/7 government veterinary hospital in Bangalore and is one of the two super specialized hospitals in the city. “First of all, it’s the transfer of veterinarians from Bangalore to rural areas. Now, they donate animals with little to nothing, just to get some income,” another animal activist said.

When asked to respond, officials from the department said the land had been transferred to KSIC, where activities would be decided by KSIC.