Expressway to reduce Mysore journey to 75 minutes

No probe into corridor project

Dharam Singh said that the travel time between Mysore and Bangalore would be just 75 minutes once the project was completed.

BANGALORE, DHNS:

Turning down the Opposition demand for a CBI or a judicial inquiry into the alleged lapses in the controversial Bangalore-My-sore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) Project, the State Government on Thursday assured that it would re-examine the project and set right the lapses if any.

Chief Minister N Dharam, Singh, responding to a marathon debate in the Legislative Assembly on the irregularities in the BMIC project, said following the allegations made by the Opposition, the Congress-led coalition government had examined the notification and denotification of lands in and around Bangalore, including those done by the Bangalore Development Authority.

The chief minister said directions had been issued to deputy commissioners to hear objections to the land acquisition.

Land only on lease
Mr Singh said nearly 5,000 acres of land had been allotted for the BMIC project on lease for 30 years and the government would get back the land after the lease period. The Opposition need not have any apprehensions regarding the land going to private parties, he said.

Mr Singh assured the House that the coalition government would take action if any lapses were brought to its notice.

Underlining the need to give priority for infrastructure development in the state, Mr Singh said the BMIC project had been initiated to reduce the travel time to Mysore. Once completed, the travel time from Bangalore to Mysore would be 75 minutes, he said.

Mr Singh said the previous S M Krishna government had no vested interest in land acquisition for various developmental projects undertaken.
Besides Mr Singh, three JD (S) ministers — M P Prakash, P G R Sindhia and H D Revanna — defended the BMIC project.

Mr Revanna said lands had been acquired as per the framework agreement and no excess land had been acquired.

Mr Sindhia said allegations against the BMIC project were baseless. Lands had been acquired only after the consent of the owners.