Govt incorporates addnl land for BITP

Bangalore, June 12 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has incorporated additional 92.21 acres in Mandlahalli village and 62.36 acres in Vaderahalli village in the Bidadi Township Project (BITP) area.

Disclosing this to newspersons here, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BRDA) Commissioner Sudhir Krishna said the government had issued an order to include eight villages under the project.

However, during the survey it was found that the Mandlahalli village was sandwiched between the project area and the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Township area and a part of Vaderahalli was lying within the BITP area. Accordingly, the government issued the order, incorporating the two villages in the project.

Stating that the project was unique in nature in the country, Mr Krishna said one of the important concepts of the project was the economic integration of the land losers with the project, so that the affected persons could enjoy the fruits of the economic prosperity ushered in the project area on a sustainable basis.

The compensation and rehabilitation package was worked out after holding discussions with the farmers representatives living in the area, he added.

Replying to queries, Mr Krishna said the whole issue was looked from a humane angle and even encroachers were considered for rehabilitation. The project envisaged acquisition of 'gram thanas' and relocation of residents to a properly developed new residential complex.

The compensation for agricultural lands ranged from Rs 2O lakh per acre to Rs 23 lakh. It also offered alternative package to those who preferred to get relocated elsewhere.

In addition, the affected people would also be provided with Rs 10,000 as 'transportation and relocation grant' and Rs 20,000 as 'subsistence allowance grant,' he said, adding that 250 acres were needed for rehabilitation.

UNI