Balupet bypass project hit by another controversy

Residents of Ballupet in Sakleshpur taluk are divided over the proposed alignment for the bypass of National Highway 75.

While one section of residents succeeded in convincing the National Highway Authority of India to alter the alignment to save the newly built four houses after staging a series of protests, another section has now started opposing the revised alignment by contending that it would disturb school buildings.

The NHAI has taken up widening of NH 75 stretch between Hassan and B.C. Road. The alignment of the bypass proposed for Ballupet as part of the widening project was affecting four houses, besides a few coffee plantations.

Residents, under the banner of Ballupet Nagarikara Vedike, opposed this alignment demanding that a better alternative be chosen to safeguard owners of the four houses.

Subsequently, the NHAI made a few changes in the alignment and proposed a revised one. B.R. Gurudev, former MLC and resident of Ballupet, led a protest on Thursday against the revised alignment.

Mr. Gurudev pointed out that the revised alignment would disturb Siddannaiah High School, one of the oldest schools in the taluk, besides several houses. He alleged that the NHAI had revised the alignment only to satisfy a few people.

Students of the school also took part in the protest.

However, addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Ballupete Nagararikara Vedike members refuted Mr. Gurudev’s remarks. Ballu Gopal, president of the vedike, said that the revised alignment would not affect any house. “Not even one house will be affected, if the revised alignment is implemented. Mr. Gurudev and others are misleading the public with false information. He is trying to safeguard the interests of some persons engaged in real estate business, who have purchased agricultural land with a hope of reaping rich dividends after the construction of highway, which will be very close to it,” he alleged.

The vedike thanked the NHAI for responding to their petitions and proposing a revised alignment. “We appeal to the NHAI to go ahead with the project as per the revised alignment,” he said.