Kadabagere to Kengeri NICE Road Project Begins with Demolitions: Residents Protest as Homes Are Razed

 

Kadabagere to Kengeri NICE Road Project Begins with Demolitions: Residents Protest as Homes Are Razed

The recently announced Kadabagere to Kengeri NICE Road corridor, aimed at decongesting traffic in West Bengaluru, has entered a controversial phase as demolition of houses and properties began this week. The move has triggered strong reactions from local residents, many of whom claim that they were not properly informed or compensated before their homes were marked for acquisition.

🛣️ The Project in Brief

The proposed 12.5 km NICE Road extension from Kadabagere Cross to Kengeri Junction is expected to become a high-speed 6-lane expressway with service roads, truck lanes, and smart tolling. While the infrastructure aims to benefit commuters and boost the region's real estate, it comes at a high cost to local communities.

More than 140 homes and shops have reportedly been marked for removal, with about 30 already demolished as of today.

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🗣️ Resident Outcry and Protests

Local residents say they received short notice (under 7 days) and allege that many properties were demolished without proper compensation or alternate arrangements.

"My family has lived here for 25 years. They gave us just one week's notice and then came with bulldozers. We have nowhere to go," said Savithamma, a resident of Ullalu whose house was brought down.

Several others echoed similar sentiments, accusing the government of poor communication, incomplete land surveys, and arbitrary marking of demolition zones.

Today, dozens of families gathered near Kadabagere Cross holding placards and staging a peaceful protest, demanding:

• Immediate halt to demolitions

• Written compensation offers

• Temporary housing support

• Legal verification of land documents

🏛️ Government Response

Officials from KRDCL and BBMP have stated that all demolitions are as per the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) and that affected families will be compensated according to government policy.

"We understand the emotional cost, but this road is critical for Bengaluru’s future. Every affected household will be paid as per 2023 compensation guidelines, and we are also offering relocation support," said a senior KRDCL engineer overseeing the operation.

The local MLA has called for an emergency review meeting to verify:

• Errors in property markings

• Delays in disbursement of funds

• Possibility of sparing religious or historic structures

📉 Real Estate Caught in Crossfire

The demolitions have also created uncertainty in nearby real estate developments. Several builders have paused projects in Kadabagere, Herohalli, and Ullalu due to legal doubts and local unrest.

Property dealers have urged the government to:

• Release the full official map of the NICE Road route

• Conduct transparent land acquisition hearings

• Publish a relocation and rehabilitation plan

🔍 What Comes Next?

As protests continue, human rights groups and legal aid NGOs have stepped in to review the situation. A petition has already been filed in the Karnataka High Court by a group of 18 families seeking a stay on demolitions until compensation is processed.

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📌 Conclusion

While the Kadabagere to Kengeri NICE Road promises to bring much-needed connectivity and infrastructure to West Bengaluru, the human cost of development has reignited the debate over urban planning vs. public displacement.

The coming weeks will determine whether the project proceeds smoothly — or becomes another chapter in Bengaluru’s long history of infrastructure-related land disputes.