BMP to remodel drains

Work On Koramangala Valley Begins In Three Phases
The Times of India

Bangalore: While gearing up for the impending monsoon, the BCC plans to remodel stormwater drains across the four valleys in the city. While work on the Koramangala Valley, amounting to Rs 75 crore, has started in three phases — from National Games Village to Bellandur tank, Jayanagar stadium to Bellandur tank — work on the remaining, Challaghatta Valley (Rs 95 crore), Hebbal Valley (Rs 19 crore) and Vrishabavathi Valley is awaiting government nod.

Elaborating on the premonsoon progress of civic work, BCC engineer-in-chief Rame Gowda said that of the 1000 km of roads taken up for asphalting, 400 km was completely done. “Sixty per cent of the work has been done, the remaining would be completed by May 31.’’

Work on potholes has been completed in 10 wards across 146.15 km. And contractors who have not finished work would not be paid.

Pay-and-park: On the system of metered parking on Commercial Street, BCC commissioner Jothiramalingam said the stake of the local traders’ association and the BCC is 60:40. This was because the police had to maintain parking on both sides of the road on alternate days, entailing installing of parking meters on either side. The ratio wherein the traders’ association got a higher stake is based on investment, he said.

Kanagal theatre: The council has decided to renovate the famed Puttanna Kanagal theatre. The theatre was in danger of being converted to a police station. Tenders for the same would be called by May 30. Elsewhere at K.R.Market, a meeting between BCC commissioner and the traders and vendors will apparently result in supplying borewells and electricity to the market. The traders have been requested to remove unauthorised constructions on platforms.

Tree-felling: The commissioner said he would ask the government to depute an officer of the rank of IFS to guide the horticulture department. Maternity hospitals: BJP floor leader Mangala brought to the attention of the Council the pathetic state of BCCrun maternity hospitals. “There are no qualified gynaecologists in these hospitals, untrained staffers and nurses attend on pregnant women’’, she said. The commissioner said presently it was not possible to conduct surgeries in these hospitals.

BCC commissioner K. Jothiramalingam on Wednesday instructed officials to pull down all posters, buntings, banners and rub graffiti off walls.A resolution to this effect was approved at the Council. He said,“Our medical officer will be trained in punishing offenders according to the Disfigurement Act. A plaint will be registered when we notice posters disfiguring public places.” Another resolution empowering the commissioner to ban all forms of protests within the BCC premises was passed by the Council.