BMIC work from Mysore end proves to be a non-starter

Mysore, July 7 (UNI) High drama prevailed for over four hours in and around the city today, with the district administration, armed with prohibitory orders and a huge posse of police personnel, stalling the bhoomi pooja of the 111-km expressway of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project from the Mysore end.

Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) officials obstructed NICE personnel from making arrangements for the ground breaking ceremony, citing the non-payment of funds by the promoters for the land acquired for the project. However, the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise, the project promoters, contended that it had paid the necessary fund to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), to be handed over to MUDA, and hence would go ahead with the programme.

The entire area had been barricaded by the police and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC clamped on the city suburbs.

Since morning, police officers were seen arguing with NICE officials at the land earmarked for starting the work on the outskirts of the city.

As soon as NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny and other company officials entered the city and headed towards the work site, police stopped them and refused entry to the spot. Later, Mr Kheny met Deputy Commissioner S Selvakumar at his office and sought reasons for stopping the work.

Mr Selvakumar, also the MUDA Chairman, explained that the activities on MUDA land had to be stalled as they have neither been informed by the KIADB about payment, nor been paid for the earmarked 14 acres and 14 guntas of land. As soon as they received the payment, they would release the land for the project work, he said.

Mr Kheny said he would write a letter to the district administration, seeking the reason for stopping work, despite the Supreme Court and the Government giving permission to start work from the Mysore end.

MORE UNI BSP GD SRS ND1722