Farm land along NH not for commercial use

The conversion of agriculture lands along the national highways in Karnataka will not be permitted easily as the state government has decided to restrict the conversion of farm lands for commercial and residential purposes.

All those who wish to convert their agriculture lands for non-agriculture purposes along the national highways will find it difficult in the future, as the government is actively considering the proposal to seek approval from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) mandatory, cooperation minister R V Deshpande said.

He was addressing a press conference, here on Saturday after participating at the review meeting on NHAI projects in the state. The government has instructed all deputy commissioners in the state to seek the opinion of NHAI before giving the nod to requests on land conversion, he said.

"Cases of land conversion into residential and commercial purposes along the highways are increasing in the state, thereby affecting the smooth flow of traffic on the highways," he said.

In an effort to ease traffic congestion, the state government has decided to seek the approval from the NHAI, Deshpande said. The deputy commissioners have been authorised to solve the issue pertaining to payment of compensation to the land acquired for highway widening and legal complications in respective districts, he said.

To prvent encroachment of land along the national highways, the state government proposes to deploy special police force to patrol the highways based on the Haryana model, he added.

Union minister of state for shipping, road transport and highways, K H Muniyappa, who presided over the NHAI review meeting, said NHAI is considering state's various proposals on development of roads around Bangalore.

A proposal to develop a 4-lane link road from Suratkal to Bantwal is being taken up under the port connectivity programme. The project, estimated to cost Rs 168 crore is being launched very soon. Once completed this road will provide connection to New Mangalore Port to NH-48.

He said the ministry has also decided to progressively take up the development of bypasses around major cities of the state.

As of now, 25 out of 27 districts are connected by national highways. It has been decided to take up feasibility of construction of bypasses to Hulbi, Kanakapura and Hospet cities, he said.

In addition to these, roads other than national highways are taken up for development under Central Road Fund (CRF) and under Economic Importance and Interstate Connectivity Scheme. Under CRF, till now works to the tune of Rs 404.43 crore have been sanctioned for Karnataka.

Another project with an investment of Rs 53 crore is being sanctioned for the state, Muniyappa said.