The darkness will linger for a while

The darkness will linger for a while

To decongest Bangalore's roads, the state budget has channeled 50% of the Rs1,000 crore allocated to the suburban railway project, to introduce local trains here

Team DNA



The much expected redemption to the state from power crisis is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Though the state government has provided a capital support of Rs500 crore to the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), experts said it would take years to commission a project.
The energy sector has been allocated Rs3.359.24 crore for the 2010-11 fiscal.
Kishore Alva, chairman of the energy expert committee, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said that the allocation for the energy sector was liberal, and that the KPCL should take initiatives to develop projects in time.
"Many promises have been made previously to add power. However, the KPCL has to take the initiative to develop projects in time as projects often take more than the scheduled time to commence," he said.
The budget has made provisions to encourage the use of renewable energy products. Rs2 crore has been allocated to provide solar lamps. "The total power generation in the state has reached 8,000mw, and it is possible to double this in the next five years," chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said.
The government has allocated Rs425 crore to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide water and sanitation facilities to the newly added areas of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. "We are very happy with the budget. The government has allocated Rs100 crore to change defective water and drainage pipes in the old areas of Bangalore. We are yet to get the detailed statement of the allocation," PB Ramamurthy, chairman, BWSSB, said.
The state budget has also allocated Rs304 crore to expand drinking water supply schemes in 120 fast-growing towns in Karnataka.
Besides, the 24x7 water supply scheme, which was introduced on a pilot project basis in Gulbarga, Hubli and Belgaum, has now been extended to 16 other cities of the state.
The government has decided to allot 50% funds of the Rs1,000 crore allocated to the suburban railway project to decongest Bangalore's roads.
Besides, 12 new railway projects were also approved in the recently presented Railway Budget for 2010-11.