Hi-tech City has to cross a wall

Hi-tech City has to cross a wall
New Indian ExpressHi-tech City has to cross a wall
Saturday June 24 2006 13:11 IST

BANGALORE: The fate of the much-hyped hi-tech City of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is in the hands of the Assembly and the High Court. The BDA has no powers to acquire land for industrial purposes, but only for residential purposes.

However, it now awaits an amendment to the BDA Act 38(B) in the State legislature, to acquire land for the project.

“The Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly, but rejected by the Council. It has been tabled in the Assembly again. We will be able to go ahead with the project only if the Bill is passed,” BDA Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda said on Friday.

Moreover, some farmers whose lands have been notified by the BDA have challenged the project in the court on the same grounds that had earlier led to the cancellation of Arkavathy Layout by the court.

The BDA will request the court for a similar verdict as in the Arkavathy Layout case. “We will place the request before the court, and request it to dispose of the case soon,” he said.

The Rs 390-crore Hi-tech city was proposed to be set up on the 8.5 km road between Electronics City and Sarjapur. It envisages an integrated township with office space, residential complexes, commercial establishments, educational institutions and many other facilities.

BANGALORE: The fate of the much-hyped hi-tech City of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is in the hands of the Assembly and the High Court. The BDA has no powers to acquire land for industrial purposes, but only for residential purposes.

However, it now awaits an amendment to the BDA Act 38(B) in the State legislature, to acquire land for the project.

“The Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly, but rejected by the Council. It has been tabled in the Assembly again. We will be able to go ahead with the project only if the Bill is passed,” BDA Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda said on Friday.

Moreover, some farmers whose lands have been notified by the BDA have challenged the project in the court on the same grounds that had earlier led to the cancellation of Arkavathy Layout by the court.

The BDA will request the court for a similar verdict as in the Arkavathy Layout case. “We will place the request before the court, and request it to dispose of the case soon,” he said.

The Rs 390-crore Hi-tech city was proposed to be set up on the 8.5 km road between Electronics City and Sarjapur. It envisages an integrated township with office space, residential complexes, commercial establishments, educational institutions and many other facilities.