Metro: the displaced have cause to cheer

Metro: the displaced have cause to cheer
Deccan Herald

Those losing land to make way for the Bangalore Metro project may actually end up winning – the rehabilitation package approved by the re-constituted Board of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) promises a win-win solution to about 1,500 property owners who .....

Those losing land to make way for the Bangalore Metro project may actually end up winning — the rehabilitation package approved by the re-constituted Board of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) promises a win-win solution to about 1,500 property owners who will be affected by the project.

For residents, the compensation does not end with “the property and land valuation based on market rates”. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) is also planning to pay for the initial rent deposit if residential property owners are forced to take a house on rent, and any relocation expenses incurred in the first six months.

The rehabilitation structure has three slab rates, which is based on the spread of the area acquired for the Metro project. However, some owners, especially those having property in prime areas might lose out, as the categorisation does not depend on the location of the property.

BMRC is also planning to provide additional floor space by giving Transfer of Development Rights certificates to those who have lost their land, revealed BMRC sources.

The BMRC has also reached an agreement with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on giving preference to affected land owners during site allotment, if they apply for sites in new BDA layouts.

Owners of commercial properties will also have a bumper offer — apart from compensation based on the market rate of the property, BMRC is proposing a “resettlement allowance” for the first six months. The slab rate fixed for allowance is based on the sales tax the establishment has paid to the government.

The BMRC is also offering to pay for any deposit required for any future business venture the affected may want to start. BDA has offered to provide space in its commercial complexes to the affected shop-owners on lease. The BMRC will pay for the lease.

But the allowance will be reduced for those shop-owners opting for leased space.

The BDA and BMRC are also jointly planning to construct commercial areas along the length of the corridor where the affected establishment owners can be accommodated.

A total of 115 affected families of the Basaveshwara slum will be provided housing in apartment blocks constructed on a two-acre land, next to the Leprosy Hospital.

A similar rehabilitation plan has been designed for the 110 affected families of Jai Bhima slum.

BMRC is also planning to provide additional floor space by giving Transfer of Development Rights certificates to those who have lost their land, revealed BMRC sources.

The BMRC has also reached an agreement with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on giving preference to affected land owners during site allotment, if they apply for sites in new BDA layouts.

Owners of commercial properties will also have a bumper offer — apart from compensation based on the market rate of the property, BMRC is proposing a “resettlement allowance” for the first six months. The slab rate fixed for allowance is based on the sales tax the establishment has paid to the government.

The BMRC is also offering to pay for any deposit required for any future business venture the affected may want to start. BDA has offered to provide space in its commercial complexes to the affected shop-owners on lease. The BMRC will pay for the lease. But the allowance will be reduced for those shop-owners opting for leased space.

The BDA and BMRC are also jointly planning to construct commercial areas along the length of the corridor where the affected establishment owners can be accommodated.

A total of 115 affected families of the Basaveshwara slum will be provided housing in apartment blocks constructed on a two-acre land, next to the Leprosy Hospital.

A similar rehabilitation plan has been designed for the 110 affected families of Jai Bhima slum.

Meet to finalise Metro issues

*All pending issues regarding the Bangalore Metro project including the realignment controversy, are likely to be settled at a high-level meeting on August 8.

*The meeting will be chaired by the Chief Minister.

*The Government will announce its decision on realignment of routes on CMH Road and 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar, based on the Justice

*Shivshankar Bhat report submitted a few months ago.

The government will also finalise the rehabilitation package proposed for those losing land to the project.