CM city review farcical show

CM city review farcical show
BENGALURU







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I BSY refuses to get out of vehicle to inspect infrastructure work I
: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s whirlwind inspection of infrastructure projects in the city on Sunday morning was a farcical show — there was no work in progress at most of the sites the Chief Minister visited and the project contractors were not given directions of any kind.

Even worse, in several places Mr Yeddyurappa refused to get out of his vehicle to inspect the progress of projects. He simply gave instructions that the work should be expedited.

Asked why there was slow progress in infrastructure projects, the Chief Minister said, “I am not a magician with a magic wand. People can suggest ways to speed up projects.” As usual, there were many promises. Mr Yeddyurappa said the government will keep the public informed on the progress of infrastructure projects. Progress of all projects in Bengaluru will be uploaded on an official website, nammabengaluru.com, that will be operational from next week, he added. Speak ing to reporters after his inspection, Mr Yeddyurappa said progress cards of the projects will be uploaded on the website in both English and Kannada.

Claiming that the government has not faced a fund crunch with infrastructure projects, the Chief Minister said, “I don’t need any certification from political parties. Let the public decide about the projects in the city.” City inspections will be held every Sunday to review the quality and progress of the infrastructure projects being executed by BBMP, BDA, BWSSB and BMRC, he added.

He said work on connecting Outer Ring Road between Magadi Road and Mysore Road, taken up at a cost of Rs 160 crore, is nearing completion and flyovers at Summanahalli and Nayandahalli are under progress.

Around 1,200 projects worth Rs 440 crore to be executed by BDA have been tendered and work on them will commence from the second week of February.

BBMP is carrying out work on 9,971 sites, including several major projects, at a total cost of Rs 1,528 crore, Mr Yeddyurappa said. These include several new roads and road-widening projects.

The progress of the Metro Rail project is satisfactory, the Chief Minister claimed, painting a rosy picture of the city’s infrastructure. But residents of the areas he inspected were not impressed.

“The inspection was only meant to project the party and its image,” said Ramesh, a resident of Yelahanka Upanagar.

Citizen Action Forum president N. S. Mukunda said the review was a gimmick win voters ahead of the BBMP and general elections.

“The government is trying to win public approval even though the administrative system is rotten,” Mr Ramesh said.