From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Aug 21: The State Government’s Special Representative in Delhi T B Jayachandra has demanded takeover of the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road in view of the building of the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway.

Speaking to media persons in Delhi on Monday, senior Congress leader Jayachandra, who enjoys Cabinet minister’s status, said there was no need for a separate entity of NICE in view of the expressway now under operation.

He pointed out he had submitted a compressive report from a Legislature Committee headed by him way back in 2016, which had recommended high level probe into the entire project and takingover of the additional land granted to NICE.

To a question on the charges and counter-charges by Deputy Chief Minster and KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar and JD(S) former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Jayachandra declined to answer and said it is best to ask both of them.

Jayachandra said the Narendra Modi government had declared Upper Bhadra project as a national project but has not released any funds since the last seven years.

He said the Union Government’s budget for the current year has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the Upper Bhadra project, which must be released without delay.

The Upper Bhadra project is being implemented by the State Government at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, he said.

Jayachandra held a meeting with State Additional Chie Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on the projects awaiting Central clearance.