Bengaluru: PRR farmers object to civil tenders without 80% land acquisition

Bengaluru: Even as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has begun issuing compensation awards to landowners giving up property for the 74-km Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, a section of farmers has opposed the move.

They have urged the government to provide compensation in accordance with the Centre’s 2013 land acquisition law. The farmers have also objected to plans to float civil tenders before acquiring at least 80% of the required land.

At a press conference, the farmers said they would issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) only if the government ensured fair compensation. They accused the BDA of bypassing transparency norms to push ahead with a project that has seen little progress over nearly two decades.

In their representation, the farmers contended that the PRR scheme has lapsed under Section 27 of the BDA Act.

“Any scheme not executed within five years of its notification automatically lapses,” they said, noting that the PRR was initiated between 2007 and 2012. “A lapsed scheme cannot be revived or used for tendering,” the association stated, demanding that their lands be released from acquisition.

They further alleged that the BDA is planning to invite tenders despite not having acquired the mandatory 80% of the land required for the project, responding to reports that tenders may be floated by the end of March.

The farmers also raised environmental concerns, stating that the proposed 100-metre Right of Way (ROW) passes through the Jarakabande Kaval ecological zone and the Arkavathy River catchment area. They alleged that the BDA is proceeding without obtaining mandatory forest, wildlife, and environmental clearances.