Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has called on citizens to boycott NICE Road toll collection, demanding the state government take over the BMIC project within two weeks to prevent further 'looting' of the public.

Key Takeaways

  • H.D. Kumaraswamy has urged the public to stop paying NICE Road tolls.
  • A 14-day ultimatum has been issued to the State Government to halt collection.
  • The BMIC project has been labeled a potential major scam by the High Court.
  • JD(S) threatens intense protests if the government fails to act.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday issued a provocative call to action, advising citizens not to pay the toll on NICE Road. Speaking at a press conference at the JD(S) headquarters in Bengaluru, he demanded that the State Government immediately take over the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project and stop all toll collections.

Kumaraswamy highlighted observations made by the Karnataka High Court, which described the BMIC project as appearing to be "one of the biggest scams in the State." He emphasized that the court had recommended an independent investigation by a specialized team and a forensic audit of the project's accounts to probe allegations of fraud and illegal toll collection.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this confrontation highlights the growing tension between private infrastructure management and public accountability. The legal scrutiny surrounding the NICE project suggests that systemic irregularities may have allowed private entities to bypass regulatory frameworks at the expense of taxpayers and farmers.

"The State government should wake up to the observations made by the High Court regarding the irregularities by NICE," Kumaraswamy stated.

The JD(S) leader further alleged that NICE has violated the terms of its Framework Agreement and has misled the legal system through the creation of false documents. He specifically pointed toward land grabbing, claiming that powerful interests have used the pretext of the NICE project to acquire farmers' lands for townships and peripheral ring roads.

Historical Background

The NICE Road project has been a flashpoint for controversy in Karnataka for years. Allegations of unfair toll hikes, lack of transparency in land acquisition, and disputes over the legality of the project's operation have frequently brought the matter before the courts and sparked public outcry.

Did You Know?: More than 150 complaints have been filed in various courts against the NICE project regarding land and contractual violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main demand of H.D. Kumaraswamy?
He demands that the state government take over the BMIC project and immediately stop the collection of tolls by the NICE company.

2. Why does he believe the toll is illegal?
He cites High Court observations suggesting irregularities and potential fraud in how the project is being managed and how tolls are being collected.