Road to a better tomorrow

Road to a better tomorrow

DNA deconstructs the Rs22k-crore vision document which envisages a makeover for Bangalore in 3 years

Srikanth Hunasavadi and Rohith BR. Bangalore



The state government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are hoping to rid Bangalore of all its infrastructural woes within three years.
They are pitching for a capital investment of Rs22,000 crore to take up a slew of projects including providing signal free corridors, developing high density corridors and elevated viaducts, constructing road overbridges and underbridges, remodelling storm water drains and rejuvenating lakes and parks.
According to Transport Minister and in-charge of Bangalore R Ashok, this vision document should be viewed as a blue-print for the development of the city and the same should be continued with by successive governments with necessary changes.
An expert team with technical acumen will be constituted to short-list the tenders and finalise the projects to avoid delay in their completion, said Ashok.
"We need to learn from our previous mistakes and magic boxes will never be advocated in future. Due to the awarding of works to local contractors some works including the underpasses at Kadirenahalli and Puttenahalli have been delayed. Only competent contractors can deliver on time," he said.
Funds will be mobilised by raising loans through public bonds with government guarantee and through BBMP's resources, state government, JNNURM, BDA and Public Private Partnership. However, Ashok said public would not be burdened with additional cess/taxes.