HDK’s projects fly over logic

HDK’s projects fly over logic
The Times of India

Bangalore: The chief minister announced 16 flyovers for Bangalore on Tuesday. What he may or may not have realised is that 10 of them have been finding mention in the budget, with money set apart, for many years.
The announcement came after an hour-long meeting Kumaraswamy had with BMP honchos, health minister R Ashok and police officials. The talk revolved around “crores for roads’’ and “crores for flyovers’’, but as citizens would vouch, action on the ground has been zero. Of the 16 flyovers, six “new” ones have been planned for Rs 184 crore, at South End circle, Kanakapura Road, Maharani’s College junction, J C Road, among others.
On Tuesday, the CM sat through a presentation on Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The Centre has already approved a Comprehensive Development Plan presented by Bangalore, and funds will flow in soon. BMP commissioner K Jairaj said detailed project reports on the new flyovers have been sent to the Centre for approval.
Other announcements included rehabilitation of Malleswaram market and Russel Market, something that has been doing the rounds since July 2006. While the CM did not say anything concrete on pay-and-park, he did mention that the BMP has identified six places for car parks.
Slum rehab: The only new announcement is allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for slum rehabilitation. “The government has identified 5,000 slum houses across 31 pockets in Bangalore. The Centre has approved it under NURM,’’ he said.
Deadlines: The CM issued deadlines, again. Work on the projects is to start by Feb 1 and end within nine months. Tendering will start on Dec 18.
PROJECTS IN LINE
Six car parks across Bangalore Rs 1000 cr for rehabilitation of 5000 identified slum houses 170 km of arterial roads to be concretised at Rs 130 cr