by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore
 
Bangalore, Jun 16: Despite the Government's instructions not to open the 9 km stretch of BMIC, the NICE decided to go ahead with the inauguration on Friday June 16.

While the PWD has said that the inauguration without completion report amounted to violation of framework agreement, NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny contended that there was no mention in the framework agreement about the inauguration.

Traditional puja ceremonies began in the morning today at the site office located at Hemmigepura village near Kengeri. Pandit Jagannatha Sastry led a group of priests in the puja ceremonies. (The site office, constructed at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, was opened on Wednesday with Gruha Pravesha).

More than 10,000 people from Hemmigepura and neighbouring villages were present at the venue when the puja began.

The road was formally inaugurated in the afternoon.

Kheny ready to talk to CM

Talking to media before the inauguration, NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny said that the BMIC would be ready by December 2007 if the Government releases lands as per the agreement.

He said that he would be ready for talks with the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy if invited.

"I will go to him and prostrate before him," he remarked.