Yet Another Yaw(r)n: Dharam Singh promises better infrastructure in Bangalore

Dharam Singh promises better infrastructure in Bangalore

The Hindu

Thrust on city roads; two major hospitals to be remodelled

# Legislators' meeting called on August 1
# Rs. 272 crores to improve 38 arterial roads
# Victoria and Bowring hospitals to be remodelled at an expenditure of Rs. 108 crores

BANGALORE: : Denying the oft repeated talk of the information technology (IT) companies moving out of Bangalore, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, has promised to address the complaints regarding lack of infrastructure in the city.

He told the Legislative Assembly on Monday that the Government will ensure adequate funds for improving the infrastructure in the city, particularly the roads about which increasing number of complaints are being heard.

Intervening during the discussion in the House on grants for various departments, the Chief Minister said he will hold a meeting with the legislators of Bangalore city on August 1. Thereafter, he will discuss with the officials concerned and decide on improving the city's infrastructure.

Roads identified

He said 38 arterial roads have been identified and immediate attention will be paid to improve them at a cost of Rs. 272 crores. It is, however, incorrect to say that information technology companies are shifting out of Bangalore owing to the poor infrastructure in the city. None of the companies has moved out and, on the contrary, the city has higher business. Nearly 45 per cent of the information technology and bio-technology exports of the country have originated from Bangalore. The Chief Minister said the work on the two flyovers on the Airport Road and near the Jayadeva Hospital will be resumed shortly.

Mr. Dharam Singh said the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospitals and the Victoria Hospital will be remodelled with additional facilities at a cost of Rs. 108 crores. Work on this project will commence shortly.

Earlier R. Roshan Baig (Congress) who represents the Jayamahal constitutency in Bangalore spoke on the lack of facilities in government hospitals in the city and said the urban poor are the worst hit as medicines are not available in hospitals.