Mayor puts a stop to road widening work in city

Mayor puts a stop to road widening work in city


Express News Service First Published : 07 Aug 2010 04:34:59 AM ISTLast Updated : 07 Aug 2010 01:44:08 PM IST
BANGALORE: Road-widening projects are off the road for now.
Mayor S K Nataraj on Friday said all such projects in the city will be stopped immediately.
He said a final decision on widening any road will be taken only after a complete survey is done.
Addressing media persons at his office, he said residential areas will not be included in the project and a consensus will be reached before starting any project. “We will ensure that the locals are involved in the process,” he said. “Only if there is more than 80 per cent consensus, we will undertake the project.”
He said many people were living in fear of demolition because of the markings on their properties.
He said the practice of marking walls has already been stopped and it will not start until a proper survey is done.
“Road widening is necessary but it should be done scientifically,” said Nataraj, adding that a survey will be conducted in September.
He also announced that an alternative site and compensation will be given to those who will lose more than 80 per cent of their homes.
Natraj said he has written to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa regarding the matter. He also said Transfer of Developmental Rights (TDR) was not accepted by everyone and hence compensation will be given to property owners on the same market value as given for the Metro project.
He said widening will be done only at places where it is absolutely necessary and if there is no objection to the same.
He said alternatives such as one ways and other options will be
explored.