TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2003 02:09:50 AM, BANGALORE

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday upheld the acquisition of land for formation of the peripheral road, link road and service road for the multi-crore four-lane Bangalore-Mysore Expressway. As regards land for formation of townships, construction of convention centre and others, the court quashed the acquisition.

Justice Chandrashekaraiah pronounced judgment, disposing of a plethora of petitions filed by land owners challenging the acquisition of their land for the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway, including the corridor project for formation of townships.

The expressway is to cover 111 km with five townships and with a plan to acquire 1,600 acres. While 60 per cent of it would go towards the peripheral road, the remaining would be used for townships.

Insofar as quashing the acquisition, the court reserved liberty to the government to issue fresh notifications for that purpose and liberty to land owners to contest the same.

The authorities were directed to give opportunity to land owners of being heard in the matter and proceed according to law.