Officials thrash out development plans

Officials thrash out development plans
The Times of India

Bangalore: While BMP commissioner K Jairaj on Friday was focussed on flood-control projects behind a closed door round table on Bangalore infrastructure, in the open roads were flooded heavily following rains.

The short-term plans of the BMP to combat flooding are desilting of drains, strengthening of retaining walls and cleaning the drain mouths in 30 vulnerable areas prone to flooding. The BMP has taken up a massive valley restoration project at a cost of Rs 460 crore. This apart, city roads would be spruced up within the next one year at a cost of Rs 400 crore, Jairaj informed the gathering.

The round table organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce brought together the heads of the civic agencies on a common platform where projects were discussed for the city’s development. Stressing that the citizens are also a part of the city development, Jairaj hit out at the callous attitude of the citizenry. On the proposed road widening by initiating Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Jairaj said the earlier list of 40 roads has now come down to 20 which should see some action by December. Incase the TDR receives lukewarm response, then BMP will intervene and help the land owners get a good deal for their TDR certificates. Speaking on the occasion, BDA commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda promised to make the Airport Road and Bannerghatta Road a smooth corridor by opening the Airport Road and Jayadeva Hospital flyovers on July 15. Coining the one-liner “Where ever BDA has gone, Bangalore has grown,’’ Gowda said the Outer Ring Road is a classic example of the city’s growth. Dwelling on enhancing greenery outside BMP jurisdiction, the BDA chief said tree parks will be developed by planting traditional trees which will act as carbon sink and oxygen bank. KSRTC MD M R Sreenivasa Murthy informed the gathering that following the success of Volvo buses, the BMTC will add another 25 airconditioned buses to its fleet. A list of 40 sites - government owned, encumbrance-free lands which are fit for constructing multi-storied parking lots — has been sent to the government. CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited Albert Brunner reiterated that the airport will be ready in 2008, as committed.