JD(S) launches ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against NICE project

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JD(S) youth wing State president Nikhil Kumaraswamy | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

JD(S) youth wing State president Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Friday launched the ‘Nothing NICE’ campaign against the NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises) project, alleging large-scale violations and irregularities in its implementation.

Launching the campaign in Bengaluru, Mr. Nikhil also unveiled the website nothingnice.net, which, according to the JD(S), contains documents related to the project, including a copy of a recent Karnataka High Court order.

Mr. Nikhil alleged that the NICE project failed to meet several commitments made under the Framework Agreement signed in 1997. He said five townships were proposed under the project, and a 111-km road was planned, but the project remained incomplete.

He also alleged that while 2,193 acres were originally proposed to be acquired for the peripheral road, an additional 554 acres had been taken over. The acquired land, he claimed, was meant for public infrastructure but was instead being used for real estate and private purposes.

The JD(S) leader further alleged that several farmers had not received compensation despite more than two decades having passed. Citing the Jayachandra Joint House Committee report, he claimed that 16 of the 22 conditions associated with the project had been violated.

Referring to a High Court order issued in July, Mr. Nikhil said the government should ensure that land was returned to the farmers who had lost it for the project.

He also demanded an immediate halt to toll collection on the NICE road, questioning the rationale for collecting tolls when the project was yet to be completed.

“The government should take over the NICE project. If farmers’ land cannot be returned, they should be given compensation along with interest,” he said, adding that the JD(S) would soon launch a street-level protest.

Taking a swipe at the State government, Mr. Nikhil alleged that it was favouring the real estate sector and sarcastically described Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as the “CEO of the real estate forum”.

He also clarified that although the NICE project was brought in during H.D. Deve Gowda’s tenure, the Framework Agreement was signed during J.H. Patel’s tenure, and claimed that his father and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had no connection with the Bidadi township project.

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