BANGALORE: Leaders from Congress and JD(S) of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) opposed council’s approval to construct Necklace Road, which connects Bangalore International Airport road to Yelahanka via Kendriya Vihar and Yelahanka Old Town. Padmanabha Reddy, JD(S) leader, who opposed the move opined that the construction of these two roads at a cost of `5 crore would not benefit the public.
Reddy alleged that Necklace Road was planned only to benefit the builder, who plans to build a seven-star hotel.
“On this stretch, there is neither a house where people can live nor a graveyard where dead bodies can be taken. Just to support the builder, Palike will have to shell out `5 crore,” he said.
Further, Reddy added that to construct Necklace Road, farmers will have to give away their agricultural land.
“If farmers agree for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), BBMP will have to spend at least `50 crore to acquire 15 acres of land,” he noted.
Voicing similar opinions, Opposition leader M Udayshankar said improving roads in the city must be the priority of the Palike.
“Instead of constructing Necklace Road, it is better to improve Mysore Road, Adugodi, Bellary, Kasturba and other roads. Constructing Necklace Road at Yelahanka will benefit only a section of people,” he argued.