Date:11/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/11/stories/2008041150680300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Plea rejected

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The beleaguered Bangalore Metro got a shot in the arm on Wednesday when the Karnataka High Court upheld the acquisition of land at Binnamangala in Bangalore for the project.

The court rejected a petition by a leading construction firm, Puravankara, challenging the acquisition of 2,34,489 square feet of land of municipal numbers 1 to 15 in ward no 85 on Old Madras Road at Binnamangala.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had acquired the land at Manavarthe Kaval village in K.R. Puram Hobli for Bangalore Metro.

Challenging the acquisition, the petitioner said it is neither for industrial purpose nor for infrastructure. It said acquisition for metro could not be justified under the KIADB Act. Justice Ashok Hinchigeri rejected the petition and upheld the acquisition of land.