Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is likely to fix 2018-19 guidance value as the base price to decide the compensation for Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) land acquisition. The BDA had recently floated a tender for the project, but it was scrapped as investors asked the authority to come out with more clarity on the land acquisition cost involved in the project and sought more time to carry out the surveys. Prior to floating a fresh tender, the State government is likely to take a final decision on the compensation package.
BDA chairman S.R. Vishwanath said the authority would float fresh tenders for the project in seven or 10 days. “Earlier, investors sought a response from the BDA on the compensation package. There is a proposal to consider 2018-19 guidance value as the base price upon which a certain percentage of hike will be decided. The guidance value varies from location to location. A final decision in this regard will be taken at the State government level by the Chief Minister,” he said.
The 74-km project, which requires 2,560 acres of land, will connect Tumakuru Road with Hosur Road. The proposed PRR will be integrated with NICE road at both points. More than 15 years ago, the BDA notified 1,810 acres of land. Last year, a decision was taken to acquire an additional 750 acres of land for integration with NICE road, toll plaza, and others.
Landowners, farmers upset over delay
The delay in implementing the project, however, has irked landowners and farmers, with multiple protests being held demanding fair compensation in the past. Eshwar Reddy of PRR Raitha Horata Samiti said, “We have waited all these years. We want the BDA to make it clear whether they want to take up the project or not. If they are taking up the project, the landowners should be compensated as per the provisions of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act. We do not agree with other offers. The BDA has been saying that they will hold a meeting with us, but so far, it has not happened. Farmers and landowners have suffered a lot due to inordinate delays in taking up the project. We have also submitted our requisition to the Chief Secretary seeking fair compensation.” He added that the samiti will stage a protest on July 12 against the BDA.
On the other hand, BDA officials have been maintaining that as per the Supreme Court order, the BDA Act applies for fixing compensation for land acquisition, but admitted that farmers would not agree as it would be very low and fixing the rate as per 2013 Land Acquisition Act would result in a steep hike in land acquisition cost. “The BDA has to find a way out and take farmers into confidence,” said an official.
Mr. Vishwanath said, “We have not received opposition from the farmers. We will hold a meeting with them. The farmers who are going to lose entire land for the project will have some difficulty and those who give up a portion of the land for the project will benefit in the long run as the project will increase their land price in coming years.”
For the previous tender, eight investors had participated, including two foreign companies. The BDA wants to take up the project under PPP model along the lines of design, build, finance, operate, transfer (DBFOT) model.
