The process of land acquisition by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for Reach-5 or RV Road-Bommasandra Line has been blocked by a legal issue. The Karnataka High Court has issued a restraining order due to which BMRCL cannot go ahead with the acquisition process of around 2.5 acres of land of the Nandi Economic Corridor Enterprises (NICE).
Court Orders To Maintain Status Quo For Acquiring Land
The court order that came on June 11 expects BMRCL to maintain status quo for acquiring land that covers eight survey members in Doddathoguru village of Begur Hobli and four survey members in Beratena Agrahara village. The Karnataka court gave this verdict after NICE filed a writ petition against the acquisition of its properties.
While discussing the decision of the court with the media, a senior BMRCL official said, “We have begun the acquisition process for nearly 50 acres of land on the Reach-5 line. This is a setback for us as we will not be able to carry out any work there until we get legal clearance.” BMRCL requires this land for constructing a viaduct and a portion of Electronic City (I) Metro Station.
NICE Claims Discrimination By BMRCL
The official further added that the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) which offers compensation against the properties acquired by BMRCL has already deposited the compensation for NICE. However, the Managing Director of NICE, Ashok Kheny said that they have been offered only 5% of the amount that is being offered to its neighboring landowners.
Kheny said, “This is discrimination against us. They are violating laws pertaining to compensation. Hence, we decided to go to court.” Contrarily another spokesperson for NICE had a slightly different view. He said that NICE is being paid only 10% of what others are getting. The spokesperson said, “We feel we have been discriminated against. We need to be paid the same amount paid to others in the area.”
BMRCL, on the other hand, is trying hard to establish its point by stressing that the current compensation being offered to NICE was already fixed in consultation with the State Advocate General. Moreover, the corporation has ruled out any chances of giving compensation at par with the others.
A BMRCL official said, “NICE only has a conditional sale deed on hand. They had been given government land on lease for constructing the road and it has to be returned free of cost to the state government after a lapse of 30 years. They are not the actual owners of the land. The government owns the property.” The case will progress further on the next hearing date slated for July 15.
