BBMP road widening plans draws flak as residents fear loss of livelihood

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has dragged itself into another controversy after its plans of road widening at Padarayanpura Hosahalli will see the demolition of a temple, a masjid and a church.

The road is currently 40 feet wide, and BBMP wants to convert it to 80 feet. Residents who have been living in the area for decades say that the road widening will result in the demolition of their houses, shops and religious structures.

The BBMP said that they would compensate them for their loss incurred due to road widening, but residents said that they were not briefed well about the details and also feared that they would end up being cheated. They were not allow any road widening and said instead, the BBMP and the police should clear encroachments on footpaths, clear illegally parked vehicles and ban the movement of BBMP garbage vehicles during peak hours.

Few residents suspect that this move by the BBMP may be to facilitate smooth flow of traffic for recent and upcoming real estate projects in the vicinity.