Bangalore-Mysore Expressway set for launch

Undeterred by the controversy surrounding the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project, its promoters the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited have decided to open a stretch of the road on Friday.

A section of the peripheral ring road (part of the BMIC project) connecting Mysore Road to Kanakapura Road, measuring 9.8 kilometre, will be thrown open to vehicular traffic.

NICEL representatives are maintaining that the event will be a 'soft launch' with the entire stretch of 26 kilometre scheduled for completion before August 15.

On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa lashed out at the NICEL representatives. He told reporters that he will boycott the inauguration of the BMIC road since the promoters were 'working against' the government.

However, he made it clear that his party, the BJP, is not in favour of taking over the entire project.

"We will be happy if NICEL sticks to the road development project and surrenders the excess 2,450 acres of land to the government," he said.

NICEL has decided to inaugurate the road involving local villagers. For the last two days, they are busy pacifying the villagers, who are reportedly upset with some of the 'unfulfilled promises' given by NICEL.

Meanwhile, the state government officials are engaged in a lengthy discussion relating to the legal implications of the proposed takeover of the BMIC project. Sources stated that the government will experience legal hurdles in taking over the project through legislation.

"The government plans to bank on two recent instances. The Delhi government took over the development of a stretch of the road connecting the National Capital Region and the industrial hub of Noida from a private developer. Similarly, the Maharashtra government took over the Dabhol power project from Enron," they pointed out.

However, it is learnt that the government cannot take shelter under these two instances as the circumstances are different.

"The Delhi government was forced to take over the road development project as the developer violated the agreement. Similarly, Enron collapsed and made the takeover easy. In this case, NICEL is not facing such a situation. Besides, the legal verdicts are in its favour," the sources added.