We will make Bangalore a model metro in the country, says BJP

We will make Bangalore a model metro in the country, says BJP

Special Correspondent
Ananth Kumar releases the ‘Namma Bengaluru Action Plan’
A new legislation in this regard is being planned

Under it, the BBMP will have its own laws for good governance

BANGALORE: The BJP has released an action plan to make Bangalore a model metro in the country in the next three years by bringing in new legislation to restructure various government agencies for better administration and comprehensive development of the city.

Releasing the “Namma Bengaluru Action Plan” here on Sunday, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar said the proposed legislation needed for the transformation of Bangalore towards a planned, citizen-centric governance was being prepared. After public consultation, the legislation would be enacted expeditiously, he said.

Under the new legislation, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) would have its own laws for good governance. Various agencies would be restructured and reorganised to provide direct and clear accountability for administration in the city.

On the issue of transportation, Mr. Ananth Kumar, who is also the BJP candidate for Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency, said a metropolitan transport authority would be created on the lines of the one in certain European cities like London, where all forms of transport — bus, ferry, tube etc. — are brought under the same umbrella.

“If a commuter buys one ticket, he can travel by either bus, ferry or tube,” he said.

Mr. Ananth Kumar said the action plan was necessary in view of Bangalore’s exponential growth in the last decade. “The population of the city, which has already crossed 80 lakh, is poised to reach 1.6 crore by 2020. The number of vehicles in the city, which was 17 lakh in 1996, is today around 37 lakh. The city’s geographic spread is also growing at a fast rate”, the MP pointed out.

He also promised a three-year rolling plan of infrastructure projects for the city across transportation and roads, water, sanitation, energy, health, security, environment, heritage and urban poor, which would be financed through public, private-cum-public or private financing models.

Power plant
Mr. Ananth Kumar favoured a dedicated power plant for Bangalore with a generation capacity of 5000 MW to meet the growing electricity requirements of the city.

Taking a cue from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious project of setting up a river front near Ahmedabad, Mr. Ananth Kumar said the action plan also proposed to resurrect the Vrishabhavathi valley near the city.

Fielding queries, Mr. Ananth Kumar sought to assure the citizens of Bangalore that no fresh taxes would be levied to finance the ambitious projects envisaged under the Namma Bengaluru Action Plan. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had already sanctioned sufficient funds for the development of Bangalore and the programmes would be taken up under the funds.

“If there is need for additional funds, we will approach the Union Government”, he said.