The Deccan Herald 03.12.2010
Brakes on road work through GKVK
Bangalore, December 2, DHNS :
The City Corporation has put a halt to the construction of a road through the Gandhi Krishi Vijnana Kendra (GKVK) campus.
Chairman of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Standing Committee for Major Works, H Ravindra, on Thursday said road work at GKVK will resume only after inquiries are made into the acquisition of 24 acres of land belonging to the agricultural research institute.
Nagapura corporator N Harish had questioned the necessity of a link road from Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka Main Road to Bellary Road through the campus. It would only benefit a few who have colluded with the officials, he had said.
The road is also seen as a violation of the Comprehensive Development Plan.
After an inspection of the campus on Thursday, Ravindra said: “Construction of a road for developing areas in the vincity is an absolute necessity, provided a provision is made to construct a link road towards the other side of GKVK.”
The Palike has also decided to have a short route for the road by acquiring 80 metres of the Larsen and Tubro (L&T) property on Bellary Road to help connect the route.
The BBMP will constitute a committee to look into the validity of acquisition of 24 acres of the GKVK property, which has been disputed by the institute’s officials, he said.
However, differences of opinion over the road cropped up on Thursday. While some opposed the plan, others welcomed it.
Associate Director for Research at GKVK, D Noothan, said the BBMP had taken up the project despite stiff opposition from public, and it was in violation of the Forest Act and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act.
But local residents said the road would help them travel to both ends of the City from within the campus.
