A hurdle cleared for NICE project?

A hurdle cleared for NICE project?
DH News Service, Bangalore:


The vexed Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project received a shot in the arm on Monday, with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) deciding to shift its Cauvery IV stage water supply pipeline near Channasandra that was coming in the way of corridor’s alignment.

The BWSSB has taken the decision following a High Court order. BWSSB perhaps is the first State Government agency to initiate steps to pave the way for BMIC project in the recent past.

A release from BWSSB said: “The BMIC Road alignment at Channasandra on Uttarahalli-Kengeri road cuts across the BWSSB 1625 mm diameter transmission Cauvery IV stage line...The pipeline has to be shifted as per the approved alignment.”

However, it is not clear whether the Government has given a go ahead to the project promoter NICE by handing over the required land. “I do not have any information on handing over of land to NICE. As far as I know, it has not been done,” PWD Principal Secretary R B Agwane said.

Not done in past

Despite the Supreme Court order to the government to hand over the land and pave the way for the project, the governments in the past had not done so.

The new government is playing the cards close to its chest on the project. The CM has not made any commitment so far.

However, Ashok Kheny, promoter of NICE said, the work has begun at the patch of around 400 metres after winning the case in the court on July 9.

“We target to complete the work by November and the another phase will be completed in 18 months after November,” said Ashok Kheny.