A day after the Cabinet gave its approval to reduce the width of the proposed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) by 25 meters, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on Thursday came out with a new proposal to develop 100 metres of commercial zone with service roads on either side of the PRR.
The BDA is the nodal agency to implement the 65-km road project that will connect the existing peripheral ring road developed by NICE. The fresh proposal by the BDA, however, has not gone well with those who will be losing their lands for the project.
Speaking to media after an interaction with landlosers, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George said that the BDA will incorporate the new proposal in the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP)- 2035. As per proposal, there will be 100 meters commercial zone on either side of the PRR. The service roads of 30 meters will come after the commercial zone. The PRR width had been reduced from 100 metres to 75 metres and, 25 metres on one side of the road is kept aside as developed land. Landlosers will get a part of the developed land besides cash compensation.
The BDA will collect betterment fee from properties located upto one kilometre on either side of the PRR to raise money to repay loans taken for the project. It will also sell land at a premium FAR to raise money. Creating commercial zones and service roads will decongest city and ease traffic movement on PRR, he said. As many as 1,810 acres are needed for developing the 65-km semi-circle PRR from Tumakuru Road to Electronics City. The estimated project cost, including that of land acquisition, is Rs 12,000 crore.
Farmers not convinced
On the outcome of his meeting with the landlosers, George said that they didn’t agree to the proposal to reduce the width of the PRR and to have a service road after commercial zone. “Farmers demanded full cash compensation. We have told them that their suggestions will be communicated to the Cabinet and discussed in the ensuing legislature session. The government's view will be made known them in the next meeting,’’ he said.
Farmers questioned the legality of reducing the road width. The PRR was sanctioned in 2006 and the Supreme Court had approved a 100-metre wide road. The alignment cannot be changed, farmers argued. George tried hard to convince them that it will be discussed with legal experts. Raghu N, a farmer from Anekal who will be losing 2.11 acres, said that according to the gazette notification the PRR will be 100 metres wide and it cant be altered now. “The government is doing all this for money. Creating 25 metres developed zone on one side of the PRR is unjust. Government has sought a month's time for next meeting. We will wait for another two-three months. If their proposal is not convincing then we will move court.”
Siddegowda, who will lose 1.3 acres at Hessaraghatta, said government has come up with a new idea of commercial zone and service road. This is a trick to buy time to postpone the project, he opined.
KG Layout list today
Bangalore Development Minister K J George and BDA Commissioner Dr Rajkumar Khatri said the provisional list of allottees for 5,000 sites in Kempegowda Layout will be announced on Friday, instead of Monday.