Project update: BMIC

BMIC update
The TImes of India


The state government is tightening the noose over Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) continuing with the controversy plagued Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project. A few days ago the government filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking permission to terminate the contractual agreement on the BMIC project entered with NICE in 2002. The framework agreement (FWA) was signed on April 5, 1997.
Ever since the coalition government era started here in 2004, the BMIC project is hanging in balance. NICE accuses government of noncooperation, while the government wants to terminate the contract with NICE.
The cabinet, besides terminating a few sub-clauses in the main agreement, also floated another company Global Infrastructure Consortium (GIC), to complete the project. In addition, global tenders were invited for taking up the project.
However, the Supreme Court recently stayed government proceedings inviting tenders. It directed the government not to take any further steps in this regard for the next four weeks. A contempt case against the state government is pending before the Supreme Court. Despite the court direction to provide developers land for completion of the project, the government has stalled sale of land and executing title deeds.