Will new govt be NICE to BMIC?

Will new govt be NICE to BMIC?
Tuesday November 13 2007 08:58 IST

Express News Service

BANGALORE: With the BJP-led coalition coming to power in the state many infrastructure projects are likely to get much needed push from the administration.

However, it is yet to be seen if B S Yeddyurappa-led government be NICE to the BMIC project that was delayed due to lack of cooperation from the previous government.

Sources in the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE), which is implementing the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project hopes that the new dispensation will ‘extend’ the support to the project.

The Rs 3500-crore project is expected to ease traffic congestion on some busy corridors in the City and make travelling between Bangalore and Mysore less painful.

The major hurdle, according to NICE officials, was that the opposition from JD (S) president H D Deve Gowda against whom NICE Chief Ashok Kheny had made several allegations.

“BJP is a national party, which has been credited with major infrastructure projects like Golden Quadrilateral, North-South and East-West Corridors, will support the project,” sources in NICE said.

However, it is not all that simple. The JD (S), which will be part of the government will continue to have a major say in the administration and will try hard to ensure that the NICE gets no cooperation from Yeddyurappa.

The Supreme Court, however, had turned down the earlier government’s attempts to derail the project and had even directed the State to provide all necessary support to NICE to complete the state.

The NICE had already completed 40 km of 41 km stretch that connects peripheral road from NH-4 to NH-7-- Tumkur Road, Magadi Road to Mysore Road - NICE Expressway intersection, Kanakapura Road, Bannerghatta Road and Hosur Road. Once completed this road will solve the traffic problem on Electronic City Road.

That apart, the NICE is yet to start the work from Mysore side as BMIC is yet to get lands, a BMIC official said. “Within three months after we get lands we can complete the project,” he said.

Sources in the NICE said if the appointment of new Advocate General is any indication, the state may continue with its earlier stand.

However, when contacted Uday Holla, who has been appointed as AG on Monday said, “as AG he will represent the state and do whatever is in the interest of the state.”