BDA to go ahead with Hi-tech City project

BDA to go ahead with Hi-tech City project

The Hindu

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is planning to go ahead with land acquisition for the construction of the express highway and the hitech city.

The BDA had suspended preparations for the express highway and the hitech city after some individuals challenged its acquisition of land for the project following a single-judge of the High Court quashing of land acquisition for Arkavathy Layout.

"Because some aspects of the land acquisition had been questioned, we wanted to take our time with the hi-tech city. But after checking with our legal department, we have decided to go ahead with the work," said a BDA official.

The official pointed out that the High Court order on the hi-tech city had stated that the BDA could go on with its work as long as it did not pull down structures in the project area.

The Rs. 490-crore hi-tech city project will come up between Sarjapur Road and Hosur Road and involves 997 acres in 12 villages under Varthur, Sarjapur and Begur hoblis. The six-lane expressway will connect the Bangalore Airport with the Electronics City on Hosur Road.

Some elements of the express highway of 8.5 km. and the hi-tech city were tendered as two packages earlier this year. The cost of the packages was Rs. 40 crores and included the construction of two steel flyovers.

The hi-tech city will have a bus depot, railway station, international school, hotel, restaurants, exhibition complex and a fully networked convention centre with a conference hall. "Every need of an individual will be met at the convention centre. There is no need for a person to come out and look for facilities," said the official.

It will have its own water recycling plant set up at a cost of Rs. 49 crores and lakes in the area will be cleaned, rejuvenated and developed into recreational areas.