Sidetracked and derailed by Santa Clara VTA: Indian-American Sridhar Kollareddy

San Jose, CA – In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American business community, Sridhar Kollareddy, a respected U.S. citizen and entrepreneur, is on the verge of losing his 20-year-old business, Silicon Valley Granite (SVG), due to an aggressive and questionable land seizure action by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). The incident has triggered an outpouring of support from Indian community leaders, diaspora organizations, and elected officials who are rallying to defend his right to just compensation and due process.

On April 25, 2025, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County issued an order authorizing the forcible eviction of SVG from its longtime premises, declaring any inventory left behind to be “abandoned” with no compensation owed. This action, sought by the VTA under the guise of eminent domain, comes despite no imminent construction on the property, which is part of the delayed BART Phase II Extension Project.

Mr. Kollareddy, who has lived in the U.S. for over three decades and built SVG into a trusted regional business serving the Bay Area construction and design industries, is now calling on U.S. authorities, the City Council, the Indian-American diaspora, and elected officials across counties to intervene and prevent the erasure of his life’s work.

“This isn’t just about property—it’s about justice, fairness, and the survival of small, community-rooted businesses,” said Mr. Kollareddy. “I’m not asking for special treatment—I’m asking for what the Constitution guarantees every citizen: fair compensation and the right to be heard.”

SVG has spent over two years attempting to comply with relocation demands and negotiate a reasonable settlement, even submitting 10 years of inventory documentation to substantiate its claims. However, the VTA imposed unrealistic deadlines and pressured SVG to waive its legal rights if it could not vacate within an impossible timeframe, despite acknowledging in court that a proper move would take six months.

Legal experts and community leaders have condemned the VTA’s actions as a violation of the California Constitution (Art. I, §19) and the Eminent Domain Law (Cal. Gov. Code §7267.5). The Indian-American community has now mobilized, calling this a test case of how local governments treat immigrant-owned businesses and urging broader public scrutiny.

Community Support Growing

Prominent Indian-American organizations and community leaders have voiced their support, calling for:
• Immediate stay of eviction and enforcement of compensation rights
• Transparent negotiations between VTA and SVG
• Formal investigations into VTA’s handling of this eminent domain case

Urgent Appeal and Next Steps

SVG has filed an urgent appeal to overturn the Court’s order and is requesting a reasonable extension to relocate without forfeiting its rights. With the VTA admitting no active construction is scheduled, the move to forcibly evict SVG appears punitive and unnecessary.

“This is not just about one business,” said a community spokesperson. “It’s about ensuring that Silicon Valley remains a place where immigrants and small business owners are respected—not discarded.”

About Silicon Valley Granite
Silicon Valley Granite has been a pillar of the Bay Area business community for over two decades, specializing in the import, sales, and fabrication of natural stone products. Known for quality service and deep community ties, SVG has served both homeowners and contractors across the region.