Vellara underground station work stalled due to land tussle: BMRCL yet to acquire All Saints’ Church land
In a meeting that was called by Church of South India, Karnataka Central Diocese Bishop PK Samuel on March 12, it was agreed that the church will nominate a committee and that this committee along with the BMRCL will conduct joint site inspections on the land which is currently the premises of All Saints’ Church. However, no committee of the sort was formed by CSI Karnataka Central Diocese, reports said.
FollowBengaluru: The land tussle between Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and All Saints’ Church could probably lead to a delay in the work of the proposed Vellara underground station along the Gottigere-Nagawara line under Phase 2.
Reports stated that the BMRCL managing director, Ajay Seth, had sent a letter to Bishop PK Samuel, CSI Karnataka Central Diocese, stating that BMRCL had proposed temporary acquisition of land in All Saints’ Church premises to conduct the work of the Vellara underground station. Metro officials held several meetings with the representatives of the church and explained the need for acquisition in detail to them. Despite all this there has been no progress.
In a meeting that was called by the bishop on March 12, it was agreed that the church will nominate a committee and that this committee along with the BMRCL will conduct joint site inspections. However, no committee of the sort was formed by CSI Karnataka Central Diocese, reports said.
According to reports, the proposal for the temporary land acquisition of the church was explained in detail -- including the church access details -- to the members in a meeting that was held on April 11. BMRCL answered their questions and even considered their suggestion to leave out the pavilion area and the existing entrance from Col KS Thimmaiah Road from their acquisition plan which led to a revision of land requirement (4480.5 sqm to 3797.2 sqm).
Following these meetings, the chief sent a letter to the Bishop asking him to nominate the committee for joint inspection. However, reports suggested that such a committee has not been formed and no joint inspection has taken place, causing the delay in commencement of Metro work in the area.
BMRCL has now said that they will acquire the land permanently if there is no progress in the situation. Seth further went on to say that the divisional forest officer (DFO)/BBMP officials along with BMRCL officials were not allowed to enter the church premises to take inventory of trees in the proposed area on May 21 and 22.
