BBMP promises Hosakerehalli underpass by December, residents fume at delay

The BBMP has finally geared up to finish the planned underpass at the Hosakerehalli Cross after missing several deadlines and a delay of nearly two years. However, the uncertainty over the land acquisition has failed to clear the confusion of property owners in the surrounding areas.

"There is no transparency in the project. Initially, they carelessly marked our properties. Later, they assured none of our properties will be touched. Then, they called for a negotiation meeting in November, but nothing was finalised. Now, all of a sudden, they are working around the clock to finish the project,” an aggrieved resident told DH, on condition of anonymity.

In August 2017, the then BBMP chief engineer, major roads and infrastructure, B S Prahallad, who was in-charge of the project, told DH that none of the properties would be acquired as they have enough space to complete it.

However, in November, K T Nagaraj, superintendent engineer who replaced Prahallad, said the project will be completed by the year-end and that the properties will have to be acquired if necessary. “There is no confusion. But we are not going to follow the regular land acquisition process as it is time-consuming. In an emergency situation like this, the BBMP commissioner has the authority to directly negotiate with the landowners and fix the rate as per the guidance value.”

On the other hand, ever since the project commenced, vehicles plying on the Ring Road have been diverted to the adjacent roads, leading to traffic gridlocks throughout the day. Irked by the uncertainty over the project completion, some of the residents are planning to stage a protest if the project is not completed in the given time.

Brijesh, a resident of the area, rejected the assurance that the project would be completed by December.

“None of the candidates who contested the recent elections came to campaign here, fearing outrage. Officials will not get serious until there is a major accident,” he said. Brijesh said it would not be a surprise if the work, which has gathered pace at present, comes to a standstill one day.