Jumping of deadlines leave traders angry

Jumping of deadlines leave traders angry
By Satish Shile
The then BBMP commissioner K Jairaj had assured the residents that the underpass at Malleswaram Circle will be ready for inauguration by July 1. The Palike, in its budget document for 2007-08, had stated that the construction would be completed by June end. But the work is still on even three and half months after the expiry of deadline!


Bangalore city has been selected for overall development of urban infrastructure under the Centre’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. So far the Centre has approved 13 works proposed by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. The Centre contributes 35 per cent of the total cost of these projects and remaining is shared by the State government and the Palike in the ratio of 15 pc and 50 pc respectively. The Centre started releasing first installment of its share for the work in December 2006. So far the Centre has released Rs 68.3 crore for urban infrastructure works. Deccan Herald has done a reality check on the status of important works taken up under the JUNURM. Today’s spotlight is on Malleswaram underpass.

The then BBMP commissioner K Jairaj in a review meeting on January 27 this year had assured the residents that the underpass at Malleswaram Circle will be ready for inauguration by July 1. The Palike, in its budget document for 2007-08, had stated that the construction would be completed by June end.

But the work is still on even three and half months after the expiry of deadline!

Construction of 180-m long underpass at 5th cross has been taken up under the Centre’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewal Mission at a cost of Rs 16.41 crore. The Centre released Rs 1.08 crore as the first installment on December 12, 2006. The work began 17 days later, amidst opposition from a section of the residents. As many as 40 trees were axed for the work.

As per the Palike’s records, work worth Rs 5.41 crore had been completed till September 10. Construction of the bridge at the Circle is almost completed and levelling of the ground on either side of the bridge is on.

Construction of pedestrian cross at the bridge has begun. Movement of vehicles has been barred between Sampige theatre and 6th cross.

Vehicles coming from Majestic area take left turn after Sampige theatre and join 5th cross at Malleswaram police station road. Palike Administrator Dilip Rau recently in a public grievances redressal meeting said that the Sampige Road will be opened for vehicles by October 31.

However the public, particularly businessmen in the locality have no faith in Mr Rau’s promise. “We were told that the road would be open for vehicles on August 15. Now they are saying it would be on October 31. I don’t know when will they complete the work,” Dannie, owner of a cell phone shop said.

“The Palike has taken up a major work. But one can see only a handful of people working. If more number of people are employed the project would be completed at the earliest,” he said.

However all are not opposed to the underpass work. Lakshmipathi, dealer in bags, said the underpass was necessary. “The drop in business is temporary. Once the underpass is opened we will have more business.

Measures should be taken to complete the work at the earliest”, he said.

Sudhakara, who owns a readymade garments shop, claims he has been suffering loss of around Rs 15,000 every month since the work began. “There was no need for an underpass. Despite our protest the Palike went ahead with the work.

Now we are losing business”

Bhaskharan, stores manager in Laabh jewellers, said that business has come down by 60 per cent since the work began. “We hardly get customers. Our customers are those who travel in their vehicles. But when the traffic is not allowed how can we expect them. Earlier we had no free time at all”, he said.

BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya said as per the project report the work should have been completed by June 2007. But the work demanded time. “The traffic will be allowed on the Malleswaram main road by the end of October. The work will be completed by the end of the coming December,” he said.