CM puts Bangalore on fast track

CM puts Bangalore on fast track
Sunday June 29 2008 10:37 IST

ENS

BANGALORE: Reiterating his promise of transforming Bangalore into a world class city, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday announced setting up of a high power committee, which he will head, to ensure time-bound implementation of all the infrastructure projects for the city and assured Bangaloreans that he would make them see the change within a year.

Yeddyurappa, who sat through the day-long interactive workshop ‘Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development’ involving BBMP, BDA, BWSSB and all other civic agencies and the citizens, organised as part of his initiative to fulfil BJP’s poll promises for the city, declared "Resources will not be a constraint. It is just the question of political will. We will do it with central assistance and private participation."

Setting the agenda for putting Bangalore on the fast track of development, he said, "The high level committee would have experts and senior officials and will meet every month. I will chair its meeting once in three months to review the progress of various infrastructure and civic works. We will also come out with a progress report for the public every four months. We will take quick decisions on the projects and monitor their time-bound implementation."

He also said the focus would not be confined to Bangalore alone, but similar interactive sessions would be held in seven other towns of the State including Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Bellary. A separate meeting of farmers’ representatives had been convened on July 1 to tackle rural issues and farmers’ grievances.

"All-round development of the entire State is our goal." The Chief Minister said he would soon meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek liberal central assistance for development of Bangalore and seek the advice of former President A P J Abdul Kalam on improving infrastructure in rural areas. Earlier, presenting his views, director HR of Infosys, T V Mohandas Pai expressed his disappointment at the slow progress of some of the projects in the last three years. "We want action on the ground, not promises.What is the vision and plan of action for Bangalore? We want to see high quality work immediately without any delay. We are ready to work with you in this regard." He wanted the hurdles removed for speedy completion of the controversial Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise expressway and quick decisions to start work on second phase of metro project to extend its connectivity upto Whitefield in the east and Electronics City on the southern stretch. The workshop received suggestions and presentations galore for improving traffic conditions, housing, drinking water and other amenities in the city.