JNNURM projects await clearance

JNNURM projects await clearance

Nagesh Prabhu
The 18 pending schemes are estimated at Rs. 19,21 crore
Panel has not cleared nine projects for Bangalore

Modifications in detailed project reports for several projects sought

Bangalore: Even as Congress leaders criticise the State Government for its alleged under-performance in utilising funds sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the Union Government is yet to clear 18 projects formulated for Bangalore and Mysore estimated at Rs. 1,921.53 crore under the scheme.

The share of the Central and State Governments in these pending projects is Rs. 988.48 crore and Rs. 253.13 crore respectively, while the remaining has to be raised by the implementing agencies.

Under the JNNURM, the Union Urban Development Ministry approved a Rs. 22,536-crore City Development Plan (CDP) for Bangalore and Rs. 1,969-crore CDP for Mysore in 2006 for seven years.

So far, the Centre has approved 66 projects for both cities involving an investment of Rs. 4,254.46 crore. The Centre has released its share of Rs. 753.28 crore and the State has contributed Rs. 269.06 crore, according to official sources in the State Urban Development Department.

The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC), headed by the Union Urban Development Secretary, has not cleared nine projects for Bangalore.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has submitted four project proposals for the appraisal of the Centre in 2007 and 2008 at a cost of Rs. 569.17 crore.

The projects are remodelling of storm water drains in Byatarayanapura (Rs. 117 crore), Krishnarajapura (Rs. 118 crore), Rajarajeshwaringar (Rs. 142.74 crore) and development of 17 lakes (Rs. 191.43 crore).

The Bangalore Development Authority has submitted four project proposals (Rs. 590 crore) while the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation one (Rs. 60.23 crore) for construction of a transit centre at Peenya in Bangalore. The Centre has asked the KSRTC to explore the PPP model to implement the project.

Several reasons have been cited for non-approval of the projects by the Centre. In several projects, the Centre has asked for modifications in detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted by executing agencies, technical details and exploration of PPP in projects. In the case of development of 17 lakes, the CSMC has asked for a comprehensive DPR for all the 17 lakes and the same was submitted by the BBMP in October last.

Mysore
The Union Urban Development Ministry has not approved nine projects for Mysore. Of the proposals, five are under appraisal of the CSMC and the rest have been returned to agencies directing them to give more details.

The cost of these nine projects is Rs. 702.03 crore and the share of the Centre and the State is Rs. 561.62 crore and Rs. 70.20 crore, respectively.

The Mysrore City Corporation (MCC) and the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) have submitted three proposals each. The Tourism Department has submitted a proposal in 2007 on Tourist Infrastructure at Chamundi Hills (Rs. 34.96 crore) seeking approval while the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) sought approval for the water management through surface and rainwater harvesting at Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in 2009 (Rs. 3.3 crore). Approval was also sought on a proposal on Heritage Asset Management and Development Plan (Rs. 2.9 crore).

The MCC has proposed to implement conservation of natural lakes in Mysore in two packages (four lakes each) and comprehensive underground drainage scheme for city including providing sewer network for uncovered missing links.

The cost of all three projects is Rs. 405 crore and the share of the Centre and the State is Rs. 324.54 crore and Rs. 40.57 crore, respectively.

The MUDA has submitted three DPRs on construction of six-lane ring road (Rs. 90.70 crore) and construction of houses for economically weaker sections (Rs. 144 crore) and development of the Heritage Park on 35 acres of land in front of Lalitha Mahal Place (Rs. 20.5 crore). But the CSMC said that for clearing the heritage park project a mechanism for proper appraisal of the project should be constituted.