Now Reading: JD(S) launches ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against Bengaluru road project
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JD(S) launches ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against Bengaluru road project
JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Friday launched the ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) project in Bengaluru, alleging large-scale violations. He unveiled the website nothingnice.net, which…
JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Friday launched the ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) project in Bengaluru, alleging large-scale violations. He unveiled the website nothingnice.net, which the party says contains project documents including a recent Karnataka High Court order.
Nikhil alleged that the 1997 Framework Agreement commitments were unmet, with five proposed townships and a 111-km road incomplete. He claimed 554 extra acres beyond the original 2,193 were taken, and land meant for public infrastructure was used for real estate. He also said many farmers remain unpaid after over two decades, and 16 of 22 project conditions were violated per the Jayachandra Joint House Committee report.
Citing a July High Court order, Nikhil demanded land return to farmers, an immediate halt to toll collection on the unfinished road, and government takeover of the project. He added the JD(S) will soon launch street protests.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NICE project has been a flashpoint in Karnataka politics since the 1990s, originally conceived as a public-private partnership for a peripheral road around Bengaluru. The core dispute is land use: farmers allege their land was acquired under the guise of road construction but later diverted to residential townships. The Karnataka High Court has repeatedly intervened, most recently in July ordering status quo on further construction. The JD(S) is now using the issue to target the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar. The real test will be whether the government acts on the court order and halts toll collection, which could affect the project's financial viability. The next hearing on related petitions is expected in September.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
