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A decisive verdict for continuity

The Supreme Court's clear verdict on the Bangalore-Mysore corridor project has come as a vindication of the argument that a mere change of government should not lead to a review or cancellation of projects cleared by the predecessor regime. The Rs.2,250 crore mega project, awarded by the S.M. Krishna administration in Karnataka, ran aground after the Congress-Janata Dal(S) coalition led by Dharam Singh assumed office. Even after the Karnataka High Court dismissed the State's case that the acquisition of 20,000 acres for this corridor project was much beyond the requirement, the Government and other petitioners chose to challenge the verdict. The Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Limited, which was awarded the mega project, presented its case and won. The apex court also slapped costs on both the State Government and the other petitioners for what it called their "frivolous arguments and mala fides" in pursuing the case. The Supreme Court has given two clear directions. There was no need to review all decisions after a change of government; and there was enough justification for the acquisition of 20,000 acres for this project. Though there were several charges and counter charges when the Krishna Government cleared the Bangalore-Mysore corridor project, the delay in its execution has worsened the infrastructure scenario in the State.

The project must be viewed in perspective and in its entirety. It was conceived and sanctioned at a time when Bangalore, which used to be a `Garden City,' was bursting at the seams and there was a dire need to expand the city and look at other centres and towns. And Mysore acquired significance in that scenario. The corridor project was not just about expanding road network and enhancing connectivity, but also providing housing and many services en route. Land, when it is converted from agricultural to industrial or commercial uses, becomes a very sensitive issue. While the Krishna Government viewed the acquisition from the point of industrial and infrastructure development, the coalition regime that succeeded it attached more importance to retaining the agricultural nature of the holdings. This was especially because a portion of the total land to be acquired was in Mandya region, the rice bowl of the State. It can only be hoped that the Supreme Court ruling will clear all the clouds and the Kumaraswamy-led Janata Dal(S)-BJP coalition will take the corridor project forward. The message in the verdict for all States is that a change of government should not lead to witch-hunting or a rejection of all commitments made by the predecessor regime merely to score political points. The State cannot afford any further delay in the implementation of such major infrastructure projects. Already, the impression is gaining ground that because of the changed attitude of the Government, Karnataka is losing ground to the neighbouring States in high technology and industrial development.

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