BBMP to go ahead with Sarjapura Road widening despite opposition, seek to begin in 2 months
- The work was supposed to begin in August 1 and conclude in September 2018 , however, it had hit roadblocks early on
- Now the BBMP has announced that their project is on its path and they are just waiting for government approval
- Affected Sarjapura Road residents say they want proper consultation and compensation in the manner and till then they will not give up their property
FollowBack in June this year the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced that in order to help the residents of Sarjapura, they will be widening the road. It was announced that the project will involve building a 45-metre road for the length of 4.37 kilometres between Iblur Junction and Carmelaram Junction. The work was supposed to begin in August 1 and conclude in September 2018 , however, it had hit roadblocks early on.
Days within the announcement the residents were up in arms and protested against the BBMP’s decision but seems like now the Palike has decided to make sure the road widening happens despite opposition.
According to a report in the Bangalore Mirror, an official in the Palike has mentioned that they have sent the name of the bidder to the government for approval and soon one of the three shortlisted agencies will be finalised. They are also expecting work to start within the next two months if the approvals are given in time.
The residents allege that no one came and talked to them nor has any talk of compensation been done on the BBMP’s part. They allege that some officials came marked out their land and then published a report saying that the residents had no problem with the road widening.
A few days ago former MLA B V Ramachandra Reddy has been quoted by Deccan Herald as saying that the government was not looking for alternatives . Even the locals are suggesting the maintenance of traffic on the arterial roads to prevent Sarjapura Road from becoming a traffic bottleneck. Reddy has formed the Committee Fighting Widening of Sarjapur Road to oppose the proposed widening of the road. Reddy said widening of road from Marathahalli to Electronics City will reduce traffic from Koramangala, HSR Layout and other surrounding places.
Claiming to fight for the community and residents of the area, Reddy has demanded compensation to be paid according to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The Act says landlosers should get twice the guidance value of the land.
In fact, residents had filed objections against the property identification for the project. The Palike initially identified about 242 properties along the stretch, which angered the residents.
The BM report also quotes a resident of the area who says that it is the compensation from the BBMP which is unbearable. He called it a pittance and a huge loss to property owners on that route. The residents say they want proper consultation and compensation in the manner and till then they will not give up their property.
Currently, the stretch sees the some of the worst traffic congestion in the city. The palike has planned to build a six-lane road along the stretch, including service road on both sides.
