Tannery Road has been in the BBMP’s crosshairs for road-widening since December last year, when in a surprise demolition drive, the BBMP razed parts of its own shopping complex located at the beginning of Tannery Road junction.
The road is a major thoroughfare for commuters heading to the Bengaluru International Airport. Traffic congestion has compounded, and the BDA has sanctioned a road-widening project as part of its Master Plan, 2015.
Residents here agree that road widening is necessary and welcome the move. However, their grievances are with the BBMP, which is keen to acquire the land by issuing Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates instead of providing compensation based on market rates.
Shopkeepers have begun an agitation against the BBMP’s move. “They want to acquire 4 km of road from Pottery Road junction to Nagavara junction. We are not against widening. All we want is time to shift and compensation; we don’t want TDR,” said Vijayraj, a member of Merchants’ Association, Tannery Road.
Ansar, a shop owner, said: “The road is wide enough to handle day-to-day traffic. But it’s narrow to handle airport-bound vehicles. Widening seems to be the only option. I hope they give us enough intimation.” Shopkeepers here live in constant fear of the BBMP’s demolition spree.
Suresh, a jeweller, said, “Bangalore Metro, too, wants this land for phase II of its work. Maybe acquiring land as their TDR model is more realistic,” he said. However, he added that the BBMP has assured adequate intimation would be given before any demolition work.
“We know road widening will begin and the BBMP will intimate us beforehand. There are around 4,000 shops on this stretch. It is impossible to undertake demolition on such a big scale without issuing a warning. This is bound to become a major road in the future and hence must be widened,” he added.
Shopkeepers on Tannery Road are ready to cooperate, provided their compensation demands are met. Traders observe that TDR is worthless and are dead set against handing over their land for anything less than monetary compensation.
