BBMP scraps its magic act

BBMP scraps its magic act
There is no mention of magic boxes in the corporation’s Rs 22,000 crore action plan for better road connectivity in the city
BANGALORE MIRROR BUREAU


Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) has scrapped its magic box project. In the Rs 22,000 crore action plan for Bangalore, there is no mention of magic boxes. Not long ago, the corporation had pioneered magic box technology for speedy construction of grade separators in the city.
Releasing the action plan to media persons on Saturday, Transport Minister R Ashok said, “I do not believe in magic boxes. I have persuaded Chief Minister to stop the ongoing construction of magic boxes.”
EASY CONNECTIVITY
The action plan titled ‘Our Bangalore, Our Objective, Our Vision 2009-2012’ moots flyovers, underpasses, signal-free corridors and elevated corridors for better road connectivity from the heart of the city to the outskirts. It proposes 12 signalfree corridors, 12 flyovers, 40 railway under-bridges and overbridges, development of 660 km of storm-water drains, setting up of 372 parks and development of 123 lakes in and around the city. Arterial roads and sub-arterial roads will be improved in the newly added areas Bommanahalli, Rajarajeshwarinagar, Dasarahalli and Bytarayanapura. The BBMP proposes to complete the projects within three years, once the CM clears it. Ashok said, “The action plan will be taken up in consultation with experts and global tenders will be called for implementing it.”
The action plan seems to have been brought out with an eye on the forthcoming BBMP elections. However, it remains to be seen whether BBMP can execute these projects in a record time as several of its high profile projects are still progressing at snail’s pace.
On mobilising funds for this plan, BBMP Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said, “We will mobilise the amount through various sources like public-private-partnership, state government, JNNURM, bonds and borrowings. We are already in talks with HUDCO which has come forward for assistance.”
AKRAMA SAKRAMA
The controversial Akrama Sakrama scheme to regularise illegal sites will be back soon. Ashok also said the government had almost revised the scheme and a notification would be issued soon. The scheme is expected to garner more than Rs 3,000 crore to the state exchequer.
How Rs 22,000 cr action plan will
be funded
BBMP Resources Rs 5,700 cr State govt Rs 2,000 crore Central government/JNNURM Rs 2,000 crore Bonds & loans Rs 9,300 crore BDA Rs 2,000 crore Public-private partnership Rs 1,000 crore