‘PPP model key to beautiful city’

‘PPP model key to beautiful city’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Just about a month into wielding the state reins, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday said the PPP model was “most essential” to build a beautiful Bangalore and tackling the problems of bad roads, and inadequate power and drinking water.
Recollecting the contributions of scientists to the state at the Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure Development 2008, Yeddyurappa said Bangalore was the hub of scientists and intellectuals. The IT boom of the 1990s had led to tremendous growth of the city.
The CM’s meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Abdul Kalam had been on issues of improving the infrastructure. “I have asked for an emergency fund of Rs 5,000 crore from finance minister P Chidambaram and all the basic infrastructure for Bangalore will be provided for,” he said.
The stakeholders made presentations on projects that will take off shortly. The BBMP commissioner S Subramanya announced plans of constructing elevated corridors linking north-south and eastern parts up to BIA to provide seamless travel. This apart, the Transferable Development Scheme, using which the public land would be acquired for road widening, would be modified and BDA sites are likely to be given as compensation to land losers. The BDA will expedite the construction of peripheral ring road, convert outer ring road into a signal-free stretch and develop five new layouts, said its commissioner H Siddaiah.
Managing director of infrastructure development department V Madhu, presenting the progress of high-speed rail link project to BIA, said the government has approved the detailed project report for 34 km of the link. The project, which will begin by mid-2009, will take 2 years and 9 months for completion.
M o h a n d a s Pai of Infosys, representing the industry, recalled the PPP days of Bangalore and said people were frustrated and had given up hope for three years. He placed a list of essential services that should be taken up on priority and also stressed for a regular review of the projects discussed.
Experts presented their views of governance in municipal administration, traffic and transportation. Group discussions were held on infrastructure, civic services and urban governance. The meet saw a good turnout of senior officials of all agencies, experts, urban planners and citizens.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com

Mohandas Pai (L), V Madhu