It’s time to walk the talk for BBMP

It’s time to walk the talk for BBMP
Deccan Herald

Now that the much-hyped review meeting of civic agencies is through, Bangaloreans may well see the infrastructure works getting a new push across the City...

Now that the much-hyped review meeting of civic agencies is through, Bangaloreans may well see the infrastructure works getting a new push across the City. After all, the agencies have promises to keep!

Among the many notable promises made at the meeting on Saturday is the one relating to the underpass at Malleshwaram Circle. BBMP Commissioner K Jairaj said it would be ready for inauguration on July 1.

The work on the project began in mid-December. It has meant much changes in the otherwise orderly one-way traffic flow along Margosa Road and Sampige Road. Malleshwaram residents, who have never been comfortable with the project, continue to have their reservations, as noted during the interaction they had called with the police, BBMP and transport officials.

Inter-State buses

One of the issues they have highlighted is that inter-State buses (ISBs) and other private buses largely share the blame for traffic congestion in the area. They have appealed that, underpass or no, these buses must be diverted elsewhere.

According to City Police Commissioner N Achuta Rao, a larger plan to keep all ISBs from entering the core city area is under discussion and it may be done after setting up adequate ISBs terminals just outside the City.

No time-frame has been set, though.

The following are some of the other projects and deadlines from the BBMP side to watch out for:

* Freedom Park (on the earlier Central Jail premises at Gandhinagar): to be ready in June.

* Storm water drain (SWD) remodelling works in the earlier CMC areas: to be completed in March.

* SWD remodelling works across four valleys in the earlier BMP limits: to be completed by December.

* Grade separators at Gali Anjaneya temple, and Yeshwanthpur Circle: to be completed in December.

* Railway bridges (overbridges and underpasses): Cantonment (to be ready in March), Banaswadi (to be ready in February), Mathikere and ITC (September).

MAYOR TO BE ELECTED DIRECTLY?

The State government is contemplating direct elections to the post of Mayor of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore district in-charge Minister R Ashok said.

This, in other words, means that the Mayor will be elected directly by the people and the hitherto followed system of corporators electing the Mayor, will be done away with. The new rules will be part of a separate legislation planned for BBMP on the lines of the existing Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act.

Mr Ashok, however, said that the decisions on the term of the BBMP Mayor and powers have not yet been taken.

On the elections to urban local bodies, including BBMP, due to be held, he said the delimitation process is almost over and the elections may be held in the month of April this year.