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Officials told to expedite Rayadurga project

Last Updated 29 January 2015, 16:48 IST

Lok Sabha member S P Muddahanume Gowda has directed the revenue officials to begin the land acquisition process for Tumakuru-Rayadurga rail project.

Speaking at a meeting to take stock of the progress made in the project,  the MP said that it was very unfortunate that the project launched in 2010 had not made any progress so far.

He pointed out that the other end of the project, which bean in Andhra Pradesh had nearly been completed. He alleged that vested interests were delaying the project.

“Don’t be worried about the new Land Acquisition Act or the ordinance on the amendments to the Act. Begin the preliminary process for acquiring land at the earliest,” the MP said. He asked the officials to complete the project by 2017.

Cost-sharing basis

Special Land Acquisition Officer B T Kumaraswamy said that the Union and State governments were sharing the project expenses equally.

He said that the Railways had sought 1,342 acres of land and acquisition process had been initiated in respect of 816 acres. Preliminary notice had been issued under the new Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Act in respect of 420 acres. While joint measurement is being conducted for 18 acres, the acquisition proposal in respect of 98 acres has been submitted to the government for final approval.

Acquisition price has been fixed in respect of 231 acres and approval is yet to be sought for passing the award, he disclosed. The LAO said that the State government has already released Rs 44 crore for the project.

“No court has granted stay for land acquisition proceedings in Tumakuru. As much as 47 acres of land has been acquired in Veerasagara, Dibbur, Amanikere and Honnenahalli by paying a compensation of Rs 12 crore. Of these, 16 landlosers have approached the court,” he said.

Fortyseven acres of land was acquired in the first phase and new came into effect before taking up the second phase. Since there was no clear directions from the State government to continue with land acquisition, the process was delayed, Deputy Commissioner K S Satyamurthy said. He added that compensation of Rs 17 lakh to Rs 40 lakh was being paid per acre of acquired land.

Muddahanumegowda, who intervened, said that while test runs were being conducted in Andhra Pradesh on the same project, it was shameful that the project was still grounded at land acquisition level in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of Railways, Chandrashekhar, said that lands had been marked at Madakasira, Kottagere and Pavagad.

However, local people had removed the boundary stones and it had become inevitable to conduct a survey once again, he said.

Pavagad legislator K M Thimmarayappa, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department Savita, Revenue Inspector Phalanetra and others were present.
DH News Service

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(Published 29 January 2015, 16:48 IST)

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