An uncertainty over whether to acquire an additional 11.59 acres for the proposed bus stand project at Pumpwell in addition to the 7.23 acres available now appears to have ended for the time being with a decision-making committee of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) dropping the move.
The Standing Committee for Town Planning and Improvement in its meeting on July 18 decided not to acquire additional land. The council in its meeting on June 30, 2009, had resolved to acquire the additional land in the second phase.
A corporation official said the Land Acquisition Officer had asked the corporation to initially deposit ₹19 crore for acquiring the land. The corporation had not deposited the amount as there was no money. Hence, the proposal had come to a standstill.
Chairman of the standing committee, Abdul Rauf, said the project consultant had informed that there was no need for the land now. According to an estimate, about ₹40 crore was required to acquire the land, and the civic body did not have it at present.
According to Keshava, councillor, Maroli ward, compensation would have to be given to about 60 persons. He said that as the corporation had “reserved” its decision on acquiring land, property owners were not getting licences from the corporation and the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for building new houses. They were unable to sell their properties. A clarity was needed on whether the corporation required the additional land or not for the project.
Mr. Rauf said the project design was being prepared taking into account the extent of the land available now (7.23 acre).
Premananda Shetty, BJP councillor, said the committee has taken a hasty decision. Considering the growth of the city, the matter should have been discussed in the council, MLAs and officials. When the project was conceptualised five years ago, it had been discussed to develop the Pumpwell area as a transportation hub. The corporation required land for the visionary project.
