Date:16/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061619050300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government notice to NICE

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The State Government on Thursday took the first preventive action against Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) by serving a notice to suspend the inauguration of a section of the peripheral road slated for Friday.

Sources in the State Government told The Hindu here that a top official of the Public Works Department had served a written notice to NICE that it should refrain from going ahead with the programme since it would tantamount to a violation of the agreement between the Government and the company pertaining to the construction of the infrastructure corridor.

It was mentioned that as per the agreement, the NICE had to intimate the department to inspect the road before it could be thrown open for motorists. Further, the application for such a notice had to be submitted at least two months in advance. NICE had reportedly not cared to intimate the Government so far, and hence it was decided to serve the notice.

NICE has, however, decided to go ahead with the inauguration irrespective of the notice and has kept the name of the chief guest for the ceremony a closely guarded secret. The company has made arrangements to serve lunch to over 15,000 people after the programme, sources said.

Meanwhile, people residing in the villages adjoining the peripheral road have threatened to stage a dharna near the venue.

While reports had mentioned that NICE had been successful in sorting out the grievances of the farmers, it was mentioned that some villagers had expressed displeasure and had gone back on their oral agreement with the company.

The 9.2-km first phase of the project connects Mysore Road and Kanakapura Road. The Rs. 2,000-crore controversial project has been plagued by controversies ever since it was launched.