BMP announces launch of `Suvarna Bangalore' project

BMP announces launch of `Suvarna Bangalore' project

The Hindu

It will be implemented in two phases

# The first phase work will start on July 24
# The project will look at maintenance and development of roads, drains, footpaths and parks

Bangalore: Imagine pothole-free roads, footpaths you could comfortably walk on and drains that do not overflow. This could be a reality by November 1, if the "Suvarna Bangalore" project taken up by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is a success.

At a press briefing on Friday, BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj announced the launch of this new project, which would begin from July 24. The civic body has started the scheme to coincide with the "Suvarna Karnataka" year being observed throughout the State. It will be implemented in two phases. The first phase ends on October 24 and the second phase will begin thereafter.

"The Suvarna Bangalore project will look at the maintenance and development of our existing assets such as roads, drains, footpaths and parks. No new projects will be taken up in this project. Spill-over works in progress will be merged with this project," Mr. Jairaj said. Under this new project, executive engineers of every division would prepare a list of works in each ward which could cover road restoration, footpath and kerbstones, storm water drains, traffic islands etc.

The list would be presented to a group headed by a Joint Commissioner, which would then draw up another list for every zone and present it to the commissioner.

A weekly review of the work completed would also be undertaken and senior officials have been appointed to supervise the implementation of the work.

Initially, Rs. 5 lakh would be placed at the disposal of the three joint commissioners, executive engineers of each division and of the Multi Purpose Engineering Division (MPED).

The amount would be spent only on upgrading and maintenance work and not on capital works. The "Suvarna Bangalore" initiative from the BMP comes as the civic body has been receiving flak over the quality of development work taken up by it.