B’lore forward: Will CM’s promises turn into realities?

B’lore forward: Will CM’s promises turn into realities?
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Going by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s views on Bangalore’s development, the Government seems to be thinking in the right direction.

The CM has hinted at either reviving Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) or constituting a similar task force. Two new city Corporations in Bangalore would be created and over Rs 10,000 crore would be obtained from the Centre for city infrastructure under National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM).

There are more projects in the pipeline: Metro rail, Greater Bangalore Water Supply Project (GBWASP) and Cauvery IV Stage. But how many of these bold initiatives will translate to reality? More importantly, how soon?

Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) would be able to provide better services and infrastructure if the Government adopts a rational approach to civic body’s share of State revenue.

Though the BMP prepares a budget for about Rs 1,500 crore, its revenue remains a dismal Rs 300 crore. The civic body depends on the Government grants to bridge the gap and these grants seldom do.

The civic body had been forced to borrow from banks to provide services to a city that contributes 45 per cent of the State GDP. The BMP has a commendable track record of loan servicing and enjoys a good credit worthiness with the lending agencies.

It had borrowed from HUDCO and had even floated infrastructure bonds. But that does not reflect positively on the government, which intends to make Bangalore an international brand.

The Government also needs to address the operational difficulties of the BMP that has been delaying road works. The contractor-councillor-engineer nexus had been holding the road works to ransom and have cost the works 40 per cent more than estimated.

Setting up a special purpose vehicle with an initial government equity of Rs 200 crore would avoid undue political interference and speed up works. Ideas and projects are plenty with the urban development department.

But does the CM mean what he says? Time will tell.