Rs 15.35 crore needed to complete pending works

With the strong rumours doing rounds on completion of ‘Outer Ring Road’, the farmers on the outskirts of Hassan are hoping to becoming richer soon, dreaming of selling their lands for a premium.

Whether the ring road will be a reality or not, but the construction of the ring road haunts the residents like a bad dream even after seven years.

The main objective of the ring road was to prevent  traffic jam and to reach the bypass road from the B M Road of the town. The nine kilometre stretch ring road begins from the dairy circle touches the Salagame road by completing 3.18 km. Years have passed after this, but no effort or step has been taken to complete the remaining stretch.

According to the plan, the road from Salagame proceeds and connects Devarayanapattana. But the change in governments has affected the works. The officials of Public Works Department explains that the delay in awarding compensation to the farmers whose lands have been acquired for laying a four-lane road is the main reason for the works to be stalled. The works have come to a halt near Salagame and the land owners after this have not been paid compensation.

The farmers are adamant that they would not handover the lands until their compensation has been paid and the amount stands to Rs 1.5 crore. If the pending dues are paid the works would complete by next year, say the officials.

The PWD has prepared a project with an estimation of Rs 15.35 crore including Rs 1.5 crore compensation amount. Earlier, the project was planned at an estimation of Rs eight crore.

Debris

The outer ring road is also a perfect example for how the incomplete works have an impact on the surroundings and the environment. With the hope that ring road will pass through the area, many had purchased sites in the surroundings.

The prices of the lands have skyrocketed and the incomplete works has become a haven for illegal activities. It is a challenge for people to walk on the stretch in the night.

Increasing cases of chain snatching, dacoity and others have been reported at the premises.

Apart from this, the garbage has been dumped on both the sides of the ring road since two years. The waste includes mutton waste, garbage from hotels, dead animals and others and the residents have a tough time to combat the unbearable stench.

If the government sanctions Rs 15.35 crore, the works will be taken on warfooting and completed within a year. The public and elected representatives should lay stress on the same, say the authorities concerned.