Babusapalya residents, who gave land to BMRCL, trapped due to ongoing Metro work

BENGALURU: Hundreds of residents in Babusapalya, who have given acres of land to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for development projects, are facing difficulties and are suffering due negligence of BMRCL.

In 2019, BMRCL purchased 16 acres of land from farmers in Babusapalya village for a metro rail service station next to the Chalaghatta Metro station. The officials had promised to provide basic amenities.

However, four years have passed since the project began, and the amenities have not been provided. On the other hand, the metro rail service station has been built, and the surrounding area has been elevated by 60 feet.

Previously, the people of that village used to use the land that BMRCL had purchased. But now, the land has been acquired and the work has begun. Locals say that after acquiring the land, the BMRCL has not been communicating properly and has been refusing to compensate them. They said the residents are not even allowed to go around the land that they had parted with.

The villagers are now facing difficulties in accessing the nearby rajakaluve, a stormwater drain that was previously used for drainage. The villagers had complained to the authorities multiple times, but no action has been taken. Instead, the authorities have installed large pipes to drain the water the clogs the village.

The villagers are now protesting against the BMRCL’s negligence and are demanding that their grievances be addressed. They have planned an indefinite protest, saying that the BMRCL has ignored the farmers who gave up their land for the project.

Local resident Rudrappa alleged that the BMRCL officials are not allowing them to use the land, or even reach the cemetery. “We need to go around 4 km to reach the cemetery due to BMRCL construction. Now they are constructing ponds on 20 to 30 acres of land. We have given land for developmental works, but we are suffering after that. The entire Rajkaluve has been closed here. None of the BBMP officials came to check. If anybody questions them, they threaten us that they will construct under the police security. They are not doing us any favour, we are in a bad situation and suffering every day”, he said.