Herculean tasks ahead

Herculean tasks ahead
On Day 2 of Manthana, BBMP unveils ambitious plans to take up mammoth projects that will require a whopping Rs 14,500 crore
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The numbers are mind-boggling: 200 markets, 1,000 parks and 40 parking lots. All these to be built by the BBMP.
There’s more — two 50-kmlong elevated corridors connecting east and west, and north and south, to decongest traffic in the city. Again, all these have been planned by the corporation.
A plethora of ideas emerged at Manthana-2 on Saturday to make the city a better place to live in. The BBMP and BDA gave a presentation, which included details about plans to develop 40 road-over-bridges (RoB) and road-under-bridges (RuB).
On lake and drain development, both agencies promised to desilt 160 km of storm water drains with citizens’ participation. All lakes will be fenced on a war footing, besides encouraging adoption of drains. An environment cell will also be set up.
To address public complaints, BBMP will set up 200 help centres. Extensive use of information technology is expected, and GIS will be used to track complaints. Also, delegation of power with accountability has been planned to make work transparent.
However, the suggestions were not without financial implications. For building signalfree roads, elevated corridors, development of lakes, parks and markets, BBMP has estimated Rs 14,500 crore.
HOW TO GET FUNDS?
It has also presented how the resource could be mobilized. Accordingly, BBMP will raise Rs 2,500 crore; government will provide Rs 2,000 crore; the Centre through Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission will give Rs 2,000 crore; bonds and loans will add Rs 5,000 crore; BDA will contribute Rs 2,000 crore, and Rs 1,000 crore will come from private parties.
The BBMP asked the government to shift infrastructure cess to the Palike. Then it asked the revenue department to allot 3,000 acres for waste disposal at 10 areas in the city.
No more new
autorickshaws
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said the government won’t issue permits to autorickshaws anymore. There were more promises: there will be more signal-free roads in the city; Beggars’ Colony on Magadi Road will be shifted, and a park and hospital will be built on the land.
The government will also develop Devika Rani Reorich Estate within the limits of the Supreme Court’s direction. Yeddyurappa made it clear that his government won’t extend the lease period of Bangalore Race Course beyond December 31. “Hoarding fee will also be hiked to bring in more revenue. This is a priority,” he added. TNN