Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 7 (ANI): Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Monday targeted the ruling Congress government in Karnataka over its decision to allot sites to land losers under the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP), describing the move as “one of the worst frauds” and alleging that the decision was passed in the Cabinet with mala fide intentions.
In his statement, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda alleged that concessionaire Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Limited (NICEL) has not properly carried out any works under the 111-km-long Infrastructure Corridor project.
Gowda noted that despite relevant judgments from both the Supreme Court and the High Court, there is total silence regarding the NICE project. He further claimed that NICEL continues to collect ₹2–3 crore in tolls daily, a practice flagged as illegal by the House Committee, and accused the government of acting in defence of the company.
“NICEL has not properly carried out any of the works. The Supreme Court and the High Court have given their judgments.
Despite this, they are not speaking about the NICE project. Nothing can be kept hidden. The Cabinet has approved the allotment of 1,400 sites. This is being done with mala fide intentions. The NICE project starts from Tumakuru Road. The Division Bench has given a strong reaction in the matter and said that the issue needs to be properly investigated. NICE is collecting ₹2–3 crore in tolls every day. The House Committee had said that the toll collection was illegal. At that time, Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister and Kagodu Thimappa was the Speaker. There was also a protest over the issue in the Assembly. This is one of the worst frauds. I had also written a letter to Siddaramaiah. I was the one who initiated this project. The objective was to reduce the pressure on two important cities. The plan included developing parallel cities, with the idea of reducing the pressure on the existing cities. But instead, there was a plan to grab/monetise the remaining land by abandoning the original purpose of the project. The land is worth ₹10,000–₹15,000 per square foot. Looking at the government’s actions, it appears to be standing in their defence,” said Gowda.
Earlier, JDS Chief Deve Gowda wrote an open letter to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar questioning the state Cabinet’s reported decision to allot 1,453 sites to land losers under the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP).
In its letter, Deve Gowda alleged that the decision was contrary to the Supreme Court’s judgments and the government’s own earlier stand that sites cannot be formed on lands acquired for roads and road infrastructure under the project’s Framework Agreement.
Deve Gowda also questioned when and by whom the sites proposed to be allotted in several villages, including Madavara, Kengeri, Kommaghatta and Sompura, were formed and approved.
Citing recent High Court observations on NICEL’s financial dealings and the BMICP, he alleged that the project had served private interests rather than public purpose and asked Shivakumar whether the Cabinet’s decision amounted to approving site formation in violation of court orders. He also questioned whether NICEL and its investors, rather than the land losers, would be the real beneficiaries of the decision.
These developments came after the Karnataka Cabinet on September 4 authorised site allotments for land losers under the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project in compliance with Supreme Court mandates.
The state Cabinet’s move coincides with strong criticism from the Karnataka High Court over deficient project implementation by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). (ANI)
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