BDA's move raises hackles of landowners

BDA's move raises hackles of landowners

The Hindu

They are protesting against the BDA notification for the second phase of the Peripheral Ring Road

# `BDA is just duplicating the efforts of NICE
# Landowners say there is no need for two roads so close to each other
# A BDA official says there is some problem in convincing people to give up their property


BANGALORE: Landowners are protesting against the preliminary notification issued by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the second phase of the Peripheral Ring Road.

Several landowners, including 200 employees of the Nettur Technical Training Foundation who have sites in the area, have come out against the notification of their sites.

Duplication

They claim that the BDA is just duplicating the efforts of the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) in the area.

"Is there a need for two roads so close to each other? It will not serve any purpose," says Keshavan Naik, a landowner.

Change of alignment

Initially, 41 km of the peripheral ring road on a stretch between Tumkur Road and Hosur Road, was found to run into the NICE corridor.

However, after taking into account public and expert opinion, the alignment was changed by the BDA.

A new alignment has now been placed before the BDA board for its approval.

However, in spite of the redesign there are still some areas where the peripheral ring road runs parallel to the NICE corridor.

Tough time

"In areas where the two roads are running parallel to each other we are having some difficulty in convincing landowners to give up their property," says a BDA official.

He said that the BDA was facing a tough time because land value in the area had gone up because of the NICE project. "Because of the higher land value, many of the landowners prefer developers to us."

The peripheral road will link all the highways leading out of the city, such as Hosur Road, Old Madras Road, Mysore Road, Kanakapura Road, Tumkur Road, Bellary Road, Magadi Road, Sarjapur Road and Bannerghatta Road.

The plans provide for six lanes on either direction with three underpasses and two flyovers.

Resurvey

Prompted by its troubles over land acquisition for Arkavathy layout, the BDA has not notified built-up structures with clear titles this time unless the buildings are situated on the proposed roads, drains or other civic amenities.

BDA officials have also resurveyed all villages falling under the peripheral ring road stretch to find out the number of buildings with clear titles.

The BDA had faced problems from landowners during acquisition in the first phase of the project.

Resentment

The landowners had expressed resentment over their property being set aside for BMTC bus depots and truck terminals, which had been proposed as part of the plan.

Of the 1,900 acres of land that had been set aside for the peripheral ring road, 240 acres each had been allotted for the BMTC for construction of 12 bus depots and 12 truck terminals.

Discussions

However, the BDA officials have held discussions with most landowners.

The final notification for the as well as the award notices will be issued by the end of the month.