Projects, projects everywhere; but not a project in sight

Over Rs. 3,000 crores for infrastructure projects?

The Hindu

Much of the funds will come from Delhi, says official

# Peripheral ring road needs Rs. 12.5 crores
# Rs. 150 crores for overpasses and underpasses
# Dedicated bus lanes require Rs. 100 crores
# Rs. 300 crores sought for solid waste management
# Water supply and sewage need Rs. 1,000 crores
# Augmenting power generation will cost Rs. 800 crores
# City municipal councils need Rs 1,000 crores to improve infrastructure

BANGALORE: Even the U.S. Secretary of Transport who visited the city recently was surprised to learn that the city has 2.2 million vehicles on its roads, Principal Secretary for Infrastructure Vinay Kumar said here on Friday.

"The Prime Minister is keen that lack of infrastructure should not affect Bangalore, which has become the second economic capital of India and the pride of the country. Funds will keep coming from Delhi but there are many projects to be spent on," he said.

According to his calculation, the city needs over Rs. 3,000 crores for various infrastructure development projects.

Mr. Kumar was addressing the Bangalore Management Association's annual convention on the theme of "India Emerging: Economic Resurgence".

He said: "The peripheral ring road will need Rs. 12.5 crores, new flyovers and underpasses nearly Rs. 150 crores, dedicated bus lanes Rs. 100 crores, solid waste management Rs. 300 crores and water and sewage Rs. 1,000 crores and more power for the city will cost Rs. 800 crores. The city municipal councils around Bangalore will require Rs 1,000 crores to improve their infrastructure."

Much of the funds are likely to come from the Union Government and will be spent by Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Development Authority, and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Mr. Vinay Kumar said.

There will be joint projects with the national highways authority to widen the highways around Bangalore, including those to Hosur and towards Hoskote.

No going back on airport

As far as the international airport is concerned, there will be no going back and if there is a delay since the time it was first proposed in 1999, the reason was it being the first airport to be taken up with private participation, he said.

Besides, the private equity of Rs. 240 crores, the Government is committed to provide Rs. 350 crores and more funding to come from banks. "There were doubts whether the airport can generate enough revenue... going by the growth of the Information Technology industry alone, there can be not just the estimated 4.5 million passengers annually but close to 6.8 million when the airport becomes operational in April 2008," the Principal Secretary said.

The State Government is jointly investing with the railways in providing high-speed access to the new airport and clearance for the 35-km dedicated line is expected shortly, he said. The Government is spending Rs. 38 crores in widening the stretch of National Highway 7 up to the airport, including a fast interchange at its approaches.

A mega convention centre with Central assistance has been taken up by the Tourism Department. The Bangalore-Mysore highway will be open on most stretches by December, reducing travel time drastically.