Green clearance delay paralyses PRR project.

While the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is hoping to get all clearances and start the land acquisition process for the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, the State Environment department has withheld its approval.

The Environment department has backed its decision, stating that the consultant hired by BDA, Ramki, neither has the technical accreditation nor the qualification for the project. Secondly, the department has identified discrepancies in the details furnished by BDA on environmental parameters. Also, the Environment department has said that the PRR will cut across water bodies, disturbing the ecosystem.

'BDA had approached us and the proposal was placed before the environmental appraisal committee. We have asked BDA to provide more clarity and documents in regard to the three parameters,' said Ramachandra, secretary to the department of Forests, Environment and Ecology.

Sridharan, director, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, said that the project has still not come to them and that it was stuck with the State Environment department.

A team from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sought details on the project cost, financial details of land acquisition and environmental clearances, after its meeting last week with BDA. Following this, BDA assured JICA that they would get all clearances and start land acquisition process by November-end.

BDA officials said, “The final notification for the PRR has been issued and the project costs Rs 5,800 crore. JICA has agreed to grant 80 per cent of the finances, which will include the land acquisition cost. A meeting will soon be held with the Environment department for clearances.”

JICA has already listed the PRR funding proposal in its financial budget and the BDA has assured that ground work for the project will start within six months. “We have explained to them that 25 metres of land around PRR will be returned to land losers and they will be compensated as per guidance value,” BDA officials said.

BDA plans to construct the 65-km PRR from Tumakuru Road to Hosur Road via Sarjapura, Doddaballapur Road, Ballari Road and Old Madras Road by acquiring 1,910 acres of land.

This will connect to the existing NICE Road, which links Tumakuru Road with Hosur Road via Magadi Road, Mysuru Road, Kanakapura Road and Bannerghatta Road.


Deccan Herald