Draft CDP to be ready by September-end

Draft CDP to be ready by September-end

Deccan HErald

It will be a road map for the growth of Bangalore: BDA Commissioner

# Airport road flyover to be opened for traffic on July 15
# Sreenivas Murthy favours setting up townships around Bangalore

BANGALORE: The draft Comprehensive Development Plan of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) would be ready for implementation by September-end or mid-October, BDA Commissioner M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda said here on Friday.

Participating in a roundtable on "Bangalore's infrastructure' organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), Mr. Gowda said the plan prepared in association with French consultants SCE Creocean (India) Private Ltd., would be a road map for the growth of Bangalore.

Reiterating that the airport road flyover would be opened for traffic from July 15, Mr. Gowda said: "Bangalore grows wherever BDA goes. After the Outer Ring Road, we are now planning the Peripheral Ring Road and I am sure Bangalore will grow towards this road very soon."

Managing Director of KSRTC M.R. Sreenivas Murthy expressed concern over the BDA developing more extensions around the city. "I wonder whether this is a right pattern for the growth of the city. More layouts will only increase the congestion as all vehicles that have to reach a particular extension may have to pass through various areas," he said.

Pointing out that the authorities should set up townships around Bangalore from where people could commute to their workplace in less than an hour's time, Mr Murthy said: "The pattern of growth should not be like a balloon. The growth of the city can be managed by establishing different townships."

Mr. Murthy said 40 places, which were owned by public authorities, had been identified for setting up multi-storeyed parking lots in the city.

The proposal, which was pending with the State Government, could be implemented through public-private partnership, he said.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and KSRTC were augmenting their fleet. Reiterating that the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) will create awareness and educate the public on Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Commissioner K. Jairaj said he had recently convened a meeting of builders on 11 identified roads whose land was required for road widening.

Following the State Government's final notification permitting the BMP to grant TDR to property-owners and lease holders for road widening, the civic body had identified a total of 135 km along 80 roads all over the city.

"We will start with 20 roads initially. If we do not succeed in establishing a good market for TDR, we will buy TDR certificates from individuals and sell it to builders, who would want it," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Bangalore International Airport Ltd. Albert Brunner reiterated that work on the airport would be completed by April 2008. President of BCIC Anant R. Koppar also spoke.