Decision on public consultation on elevated corridor ‘after counting’

KRDCL MD says ‘will go by CM’s directions’

The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), which was criticised for failing to hold public consultations on the 102-km elevated corridor project, said it will follow the directions of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on this issue.

KRDCL Managing Director B.S. Shivakumar said, “The Chief Minister had earlier said that he would take a decision on holding public consultations on the project after counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections. We will go by his directions."

The KRDCL and State government are under pressure from various quarters, including citizen groups, for not holding public consultation and failing to address their concerns that the project is geared towards promoting private transport at the cost of Bengaluru’s green cover.

On March 16, hundreds of citizens had gathered in a protest demanding cancellation of the tender for the north-south arm of the corridor from Baptist Hospital on Ballari Road to Silk Board junction.

Green cover

The Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) and Citizens for Bengaluru on Saturday distributed pamphlets to residents and shop owners along the north-south corridor alleging contradictions in the detailed feasibility report (DFR) prepared by the KRDCL.

“In one place, the DFR states says that the proposal does not involve alteration of the natural drainage system. Later, it says that quite a few lakes, including K.R. Puram lake and Ulsoor lake, will be affected and that pillars will be erected in rajakaluves,” read the pamphlet.

Citizens groups are currently assessing the social impact of the elevated network of corridors. They claim that the project will result in axing of 3,821 trees and pruning of 2,084 trees.

“The temperature of Bengaluru has been increasing over the last few years. Loss of more trees and lakes, plus the tonnes of concrete to be poured in will result in further increase in temperature,” they said in the pamphlet.

Property owners in the dark

While KRDCL has promised that acquisition of properties for the project will be executed as per the rules adopted by BMRCL, citizens groups say that property owners have been kept in the dark. They allege that landowners have not been consulted by the KRDCL.

In a press release on Saturday, the KRDCL states that it will hold consultations with property owners.

The KRDCL has identified 300 properties for acquisition for the north-south corridor (22.12 km). The KRDCL will acquire 17.24 acres, including 7.38 acres of government land and 1.31 acres belonging to Bosch company.