Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday announced that the state cabinet has constituted a sub-committee to scrutinise the long-pending Bengaluru–Mysuru NICE Road project, which has seen little progress since its launch in 2008 by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE).
Despite being conceived as a high-speed corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, only 42 km of the planned peripheral road has been completed so far. “Land has been handed over to the company, but there is still no clarity. The company has violated the agreement multiple times while shifting blame onto the government. Every aspect of this project will now be examined by the cabinet sub-committee,” Parameshwara stated.
The NICE Road project, initially projected to cost over Rs 22 billion, has faced repeated delays amid land acquisition disputes, lack of transparency, and contractual violations.
Greater Bengaluru Restructuring Begins
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced the formal launch of the Greater Bengaluru Area Development Plan, effective 1 September. Under the plan, five independent corporations have been created to oversee urban development:
- Bengaluru East
- Bengaluru West
- Bengaluru North
- Bengaluru South
- Bengaluru Central
Shivakumar confirmed that senior officials with substantial administrative experience will be appointed as Commissioners of these newly formed corporations. “We are appointing officials who are already working locally and are familiar with regional requirements,” he added while addressing the press at Vidhana Soudha.
Aviation Policy Under Review
Responding to a query on the government’s use of helicopters and aircraft, Shivakumar noted that the matter has been under review for several years. “The Chief Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of evaluating this issue and initiating tenders. We are studying aviation models from other states and will also consult with HAL,” he said.
The newly restructured Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) aims to streamline administration, infrastructure delivery, and public services across the rapidly growing urban expanse. The move is seen as a significant step towards improving governance and planning in one of India’s fastest-expanding metropolitan regions.?
