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— Photo: Murali Kumar K.

Futuristic: NICE has undertaken the rejuvenation of hundreds of lakes along the BMIC Corridor

“The key to sustainable industrial growth and development lies in developing civic and social infrastructure together. While you build roads and power stations, you also need to ensure there is greenery and environment protection measures alongside,” says Ashok Kheny, Managing Director, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Ltd (NICE), who is developing the much-awaited Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC). Kheny cites the example of his own project, the 111-km expressway connecting Bangalore and Mysore.

“Over seven lakh saplings are being raised along this route. We have a dedicated team of erstwhile farmers just to take care of these trees. The idea is to ensure adequate flora to absorb the vehicular emissions along the corridor, and thus make it that much more healthy.”

The BMIC project will be a landmark case in development with an eye on environment. The corridor, with the five planned townships, will be home to some one million people who will find employment there. “Each township will have its own sewage treatment plant and a comprehensive solid waste management plan. So, while we have taken into account all aspects needed to make them efficient as commercial centres, we have also ensured living here will be healthy, comfortable and convenient,” explains Kheny.

The townships will have dual water pipes, one distributing potable fresh water and the other recycled water for use in the gardens. While stressing on the need for hi-tech knowledge and industrial corridors, Kheny also believes that development should be all-inclusive. “We need to take into account all sections of society while opening the doors to development. We have adopted 143villages along the BMIC. We have relocated people in better and solid houses. New settlements developed along the way have self-sustaining water, power and drainage to make them a far better living experience for villagers.”

On the environment front, NICE has undertaken the rejuvenation of 259 lakes along the BMIC. The road is planned to skirt the lakes rather than go over them to ensure their preservation. The preservation helps in the recharging of ground water in the area and is of great help to the farmers as the land becomes more cultivable.

This move also draws many species of birds to the vicinity. Elsewhere, in the north of the State, NICE is engaged in highways, power projects, special economic zones and road upgradation.

As part of bringing infrastructure to the masses the company has a power generation initiative in Ranjol village of north Karnataka, with non-conventional source of energy, for the benefit of the villagers. The State Government encourages the generation of renewable energy and gives subsidies to consumers who develop the sources. The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. is promoting hybrid wind and solar power systems.

The State offers a subsidy of 75 percent for public use and 50 per cent for private use. Two hybrid units in Ranjol have cost NICE Rs. 5 lakh.

At the end of the day, social uplift of the weaker sections is a part of the development a State Government envisages for its citizens. However, it takes some effort by major organisations involved in setting the stage for the development to unfold.

“They are catalysts in change. They can and should make a difference to people,” says Kheny. It should, in other words, be nice for all.

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