Bengaluru: The Supreme Court of India has stayed two specific paragraphs of a recent judgment delivered by the Karnataka High Court concerning the long-pending Bangalore–Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project.
The stay was granted following an appeal filed by the project developer, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

High Court’s Observations on Project Delays

In its earlier ruling, the Karnataka High Court had made strong remarks about the slow pace of the BMIC project, noting that nearly 25 years after its inception, large portions of the proposed infrastructure — including expressway stretches and townships — had not been completed.

The court questioned the effectiveness of continuing with the existing framework agreement and observed that the prolonged delay defeated the original purpose of the project.

Supreme Court’s Interim Relief

A bench of the Supreme Court ordered that only the two paragraphs containing these critical observations be stayed, while the rest of the High Court judgment will remain in force.

The apex court clarified that the stay is interim in nature and subject to further hearing of the appeal filed by NICE.

Appeal by NICE Company

NICE argued before the Supreme Court that the adverse remarks made by the High Court could prejudice its contractual and legal rights. The company maintained that delays were caused by multiple factors, including litigation, land acquisition hurdles, and regulatory approvals.

The Supreme Court issued notice to the concerned parties and agreed to examine whether the High Court’s comments were necessary for deciding the case.

Background of the BMIC Project

The BMIC project was conceived in the late 1990s as a comprehensive infrastructure corridor connecting Bengaluru and Mysuru through expressways, townships, and utility networks. It was promoted as a solution to reduce traffic congestion and encourage planned urban development along the corridor.

However, the project has remained mired in disputes for decades, facing legal challenges, policy changes, and opposition over land use and implementation issues.

Implications of the Order

The Supreme Court’s decision temporarily shields the developer from judicial criticism while keeping the larger legal questions open. The order also signals that the court will closely examine the contractual framework and the role of both the state government and the private developer in the prolonged delay.

Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks, which will determine whether the stayed portions of the High Court judgment will be restored or permanently set aside.

  BMIC project, Karnataka High Court, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise, Supreme Court