Whats up with BMRDA? Their website has been dead for almost an year now, though that is not the best measure or indicator of their activity levels. Their plans for developing satellite towns around Bangalore have a real shot at solving our city's problems by de-congesting it. But there haven't been concrete updates recently.
First, Kumaraswamy government's ambitious SEZ projects (Nandigudi, Ramanagaram) on Bangalore's periphery stepped on BMRDA's toes.Next, BMRDA is not to be seen in any of the connectivity plans around BIAL. The high profile BIAL expressway (which is perhaps a waste of money, given the high speed rail and NHAI's plan to spruce up NH7) was handed off to NHAI even though it fell in BMRDA's territory. BMRDA's satellite town ring road (STRR) and intermediate ring road (IRR) projects around Hoskote, Devanahalli, Sarjapur etc would help in BIAL connectivity as well. See BMRDA keyplan, and notice how IRR can connect Electronics City with BIA bypassing all of Bangalore! Last, after finding a developer for its integrated township project at Bidadi (a bit controversial they say, DLF was the only bidder left standing), there was some chatter (unconfirmed) that DLF wasn't happy with some conditions.
Are things moving slow due to state's political situation? Or is BMRDA not setup right to move things forward? Or are they simply working behind the scenes!? Any clues anyone?
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Small finer details means
Small finer details means that neither Nandagudi nor Bidadi will see the light of day - or for that matter any other township proposed.
This is because the farmers of Nandagudi were very vocal and none were interested in losing their lands and more importantly, their way of life. Our constitution is supposed to protect private property. One wonders why it protects the private property of those who know how to use courts.
Similarly, in Bidadi, farmers have formed an organisation called Ranganatha Raitha Hitarakshana Vedike. Farmers are not willing to give up their lands and their way of life for any amount DLF gives them.