In an effort to increase revenue, the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) plans to lease 34,517 square meters of railway land located within the Yeshwantpur railway colony. As per RLDA’s request for proposal, the land will be leased for a duration of 99 years for the purpose of residential development through the construction of apartments.
The same developer will also undertake the redevelopment of the railway colony, which is part of the Bengaluru division of South Western Railway (SWR) and currently contains 316 quarters designated for employees.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 119 crore, and the revenue generated from the residential development will be divided between the developer and RLDA. Both railway quarters and private apartments will be present.
The 316 quarters will remain for staff use, while the private apartments will be available for sale,” stated a senior RLDA official in an interview with TOI. Interested parties have until March 18 to submit their e-bids for the project. While this initiative is viewed as a means of generating revenue, experts contend that the land in Yeshwantpur should be utilized for rail-related developments. “Rather than leasing the land for commercial purposes, there are alternative uses that could be more beneficial.
Additional infrastructure could be developed, such as loco sheds or extra loop lines to accommodate high traffic, which would ultimately serve the railways better,” remarked railway expert Sanjeev Dyamanavar. In conjunction with the expansion project at Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Byappanahalli, 169 trees surrounding the area will be removed.
According to a public notice released by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the trees are being cut down to facilitate the installation of a sick line, which is projected to cost Rs 68 crore. A sick line is a specialized track designated for the repair, maintenance, and overhauling of coaches and wagons that are not currently in active service. The sick line planned at SMVT will accommodate non-modified goods and passenger coaches.
GBA claims to have uploaded details of the trees to be axed on its website, and people have been given 10 days (from Sunday) to file objections. Objections and comments can be sent by email or post to the deputy conservator of forests and tree officer, GBA.
