Karnataka to move Supreme Court over widening of Jayamahal, Ballari roads

The state government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it has decided to file an interlocutory application (IA) before the Supreme Court, seeking modification/review of the direction on the acquisition of property for the widening of the Jayamahal and Ballari Road.

The state government said Transferable Development Rights (TDR) of around Rs 1,400 crore is at stake if compensation is paid to the royal family members as per the TDR rules. The Mysore royal family members are the appellants before the Supreme Court challenging the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act.

Having heard the state government on the issue, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka directed the government and the BBMP to take all permissible steps for the widening of the roads.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed by Samarpana, a Bengaluru-based socio-cultural trust. The PIL contended that despite clear directions by the Supreme Court, no action has been taken to widen Jayamahal Road (from Mehkri Circle to Cantonment Railway Station) and Ballari Road (from Mehkri Circle to BDA junction). The bench adjourned the hearing to April 21.

The memo filed by the state government said that as per the cabinet decision dated Feb. 18, 2021, an IA will be filed before the Supreme Court seeking modification of its Nov. 2, 2014, order. The memo maintained that the palace land and surrounding open space of 472.16 acres vests with the state.

As per the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, the compensation for the entire 472.16 acres would be Rs 11 crore. Hence, the compensation to the royal family members has to be in accordance with the act only. The memo further said that the Supreme Court has not set aside the act.

According to the government, if TDRs are issued as per the orders of the Supreme Court, then there is a possibility that the royal family members will sell the TDR worth around Rs 1,400 crore to builders in the city.

After the conclusion of the proceedings in the Supreme Court, if the royal family members lose the case, it would be impossible to recover the TDRs.

“Also, this huge amount of TDRs in the market will see rampant mushrooming of concrete buildings in the city,” the affidavit stated.