NICE has acquired excess land in Bangalore: Karnataka govt.

Bangalore, Sep 16 (UNI) The Karnataka government told the Supreme Court today that Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE), executors of Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project had acquired 3,633 acres of excess land in and around Bangalore city.

In a reply filed on the notice issued by the Court on a writ petition filed by NICE, the government claimed that as per the report prepared by UTI Bank, financial consultants of NICE, it was stated that Phase-I in and around Bangalore related to road portion only. Thus the company would have an excess of 3,363 acres of land identified as developable area for real estate purposes, contrary to the framework agreement, a statement issued by the government said here tonight.

The government also alleged in its reply that NICE had 'manipulated' the government records and illegally acquired ownership of land aggregating to 22,897 acres, worth Rs 30,000, which was not available to it as per the contract upheld by the courts.

It also justified its decision to appoint the inquiry committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice B C Patel to look into the irregularities committed in the project.

The government also reiterated its commitment to abide by the judgement of the High Court of Karnataka asking the government to execute the project as conceived originally, which was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.

UNI RS MSJ HS2218