As the narrow Padarayanapura Main Road, which is currently choked with vehicles and hawkers, is slated for widening, dozens of people took to the streets on Monday to protest against the project that would see the loss of their properties.
According to residents, over 234 properties, including over 500 shops and numerous households, may be demolished as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has started the process of widening the road from 30 feet to 80 feet.
For many, the future of their establishments and houses was printed in a newspaper tender advertisement nearly 10 days ago. “There has been no formal notice. We were only told that we’ll be paid in Transferable Development Rights (TDR). But we’ve been given no details,” said Hanumanth Shetty, 61, who has lived in the area for most of his life.
Krishna Veni, 65, who stays and hawks vegetables from her small house besides the road, said, “I’m the only earning member of my household that includes my three daughters. I’ve been here for 50 years, and if I lose the house, I have nowhere to go.”
Residents said that while the market rate for land is ₹12,000-₹13,000 per square feet in the centrally located area, the government is offering only ₹3,000 under TDR. Moreover, the opening of the metro line close to the area had eased traffic, and the existing road could see free-flowing traffic if parking of vehicles and entry of heavy vehicles were managed, said residents.
“TDR is not an option for us while widening the road will do little to solve the traffic problems in the area,” said Suvarna C., President of Padarayanapura Main Road Building Owners and Tenants Welfare Association.
While the protesters were dispersed by the police, who cited the model code of conduct in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, many property-owners submitted their letters and objections at the BBMP office.
