Farmers end stir after promise on Peripheral Ring Road

The 30-hour-long protest by around 100 farmers and land losers before the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) head office ended Wednesday after Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara’s intervention.

Protesters asked the government to decide on the Shivaram Karanth Layout and Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) projects that were delayed for more than a decade.

Parameshwara assured the farmers and land losers that a meeting will be arranged with Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday. “The CM has been briefed (about the issue),” he said.

“We were to call the tenders for PRR, but it was delayed due to National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court hearing on the buffer zone case and, now, due to the model code of conduct. Tenders will be called on May 23,” Parameshwara added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also assured that the government will create the layout without razing any existing homes. “The Supreme Court has asked to issue the final notification, but it can’t be done without the survey,” he said.

Waiting to meet CM

“We need to find out how many buildings have come up in the 3,500-acre area. After ascertaining the details, we’ll give the same to the Supreme Court and seek clarification. When the government implements Akrama Sakrama, be assured that the existing homes will not be demolished,” Parameshwara said.

Ending their protest, the farmers said they would wait for the interaction with the chief minister before deciding the next course of action.