Develop satellite towns, BDA told

Develop satellite towns, BDA told
The Hindu

Forming more layouts will worsen traffic congestion, feels Siddaramaiah

# Other statements City should not be allowed to expand further
# More car parks needed in congested areas
# Property tax evasion rampant
# BMP should increase its revenue


BANGALORE: The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, on Monday advised the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to stop acquiring land and developing layouts as "this will only lead to more congestion in the city."

He was speaking at the inauguration of the multi-level car park on Kempegowda Road, built by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) in a venture with Maharaja Buildtech Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the BDA should set up satellite towns around Bangalore, which can become secondary cities. Gradually, industries can be shifted to these cities, he said.

"If you keep acquiring land and developing sites, traffic congestion and pollution in the city will only increase. Over 900 vehicles are registered here daily, and our roads cannot take the load. We should not allow Bangalore to expand further," he said.

Lauding the BMP's efforts to construct parking lots through joint ventures with private builders, Mr. Siddaramaiah asked the civic body to identify congested areas in the city and plan more car parks there. "Parking of vehicles on roadsides should be stopped and multi-level car parks constructed," he said.

Revenue

Mr. Siddaramaiah directed the BMP Commissioner, K. Jothiramalingam, to initiate measures to augment revenue. "It is really surprising that the BMP's property tax collection is only Rs. 320 crores though there are six lakh properties in the city. This indicates that several property owners are evading tax," he said.

The Minister for Industries and Infrastructure, P.G.R. Sindhia, said the Government's infrastructure policy does not include multi-level car parks. "We will include them and issue a Government Order in this regard soon," he added.

Legislators' meeting

Agreeing with Mr. Siddaramaiah on the city's expansion, Mr. Sindhia said more satellite bus stations have to be set up as the existing ones are not sufficient. He has convened a meeting of legislators from Bangalore on July 23 to discuss infrastructure development.

The Minister for Transport and Water Resources, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, asked the BMP to be "proactive."

Assuring the BMP that the Government will support its projects, Mr. Kharge said if areas under the municipal corporations around Bangalore are brought under the BMP, more revenue can be mobilised.

He wanted the car park builders to maintain the structure properly, and said the Government will take action if it is used for purposes other than parking.