Karnataka to get JICA aid for Rs 4,300 cr road project

After getting financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, action will be taken to implement the project

The Karnataka government would begin work on the 65-km long Peripheral Ring Road project (PRR Phase-1) from Tumkur road to Hosur road after completion of the land acquisition process. The project, estimated to cost Rs 4,300 crore, involves financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), chief minister Siddaramaiah said here today.

Responding to a question from S R Vishwanath of the BJP in the legislative assembly, here on Tuesday, he said a team of officials from JICA would be visiting the state soon to hold discussions with the state government in this regard. The project cost involves land acquisition cost and construction apart from intelligent transport system.

He said the road project was planned in 2005 and the state government had issued preliminary notification to acquire land. Later, in 2007, the final notification for land acquisition was issued. So far, 1,810 acres had been acquired for the project.

The farmers had challenged land acquisition for the project in the court. The High Court double bench has issued an order in favour of the government on July 15, 2013, he said.Siddaramaiah said the proposed road starts from Tumkur road and joins Hosur road crossing over Doddaballapura road, Bellary road, Old Madras road, and Sarjapura road. Under Phase-1 the road will have a width of 75 metres as against the earlier plan of 100 metres. The government will allot sites to landlosers or compensation, whichever is opted by the farmers.

"The Japan International Cooperation Agency has agreed to provide financial assistance to the Rs 4,300 crore project. Once the land acquisition process is completed and after getting financial assistance from JICA action will be taken to implement the project," he said.

Replying to another question from K S Puttannaiah of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, the chief minister said they were considering to make rainwater harvesting mandatory for all buildings in Bangalore.

Puttannaiah pointed out that Coimbatore city in Tamil Nadu had done a good job of tapping rain water. He said, water consumption in Bangalore city is set to rise significantly in the coming years with the rise in population.

Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa suggested the government should come out with a Perspective Plan for Bangalore in view of the huge growth of the city. He also suggested developing satellite towns around Tumkur, Ramanagar, Chikkaballapur and Hoskote among others.