JOIN USWith one eye on election and another on the depleting coffers of the State Exchequer, the BJP government has made one final attempt by trying to salvage the infrastructure upgrading promises it had made during its difficult reign.
The budget proposal has outlined close to Rs 8,000 crore by way of infrastructure facilities, excluding Namma Metro, water and UGD facilities.
The promises include that of decongesting traffic, providing affordable housing and more importantly, clearing the muck off the streets of the Capital. The same promises it had made during their campaigning five years ago.
From the seven-year-old promise of constructing the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) to residential houses for the poor made year after year, the government has yet again given a ‘populist’ budget before the end of their tenure.
Rs 800 cr for BDA
While the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has received over Rs 800 crore for the construction of four new flyovers in the heart of the City to decongest traffic, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) would be provided Rs 750 crore financial assistance for undertaking 75 major infrastructure development projects approved by the government.
Science gallery
For science lovers, there is a reason to cheer. An international-level science gallery is proposed to be set up in Bangalore in collaboration with International Science Gallery of Ireland, Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Science, Nimhans and Srusti School of Arts, Design and Technology with an amount of Rs 10 Crore.
Waste management
Highlighting the biggest problem the City is facing currently, the government has stated that the ‘highest priority’ would be provided for solid waste management in Bangalore with a priority on PPP and joint development.
Catering to the urban poor and middle class, the most notable announcement by the State government is the construction of public toilets for women at a cost of
Rs 25 crore.
This apart, dwelling into the specifics, the government has proposed an underpass beneath the more chaotic KR Puram bridge for smooth traffic and construction of 25-km golden quadrangle between Hebbal-BRV Ground-Central Silk Board-Mysore Road flyover. The BJP government has also given emphasis to the more ‘viable’ option of entering into a public-private partnership (PPP) model for major infrastructure projects.
But can the civic agencies deliver what the government proposes? As the present government bows out, one can only imagine whether the promises made will be kept or broken, yet again. BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah said: “We are happy with the allocation for the BBMP. We will start implementing the projects proposed in the budget plan once the detailed project report (DPR) is ready and the tenders are approved. The garbage crisis that is mounting in the City will be effectively tackled as the state government has given more emphasis to the solid waste management in this year’s budget.”
Proposals
n A dialysis and diabetic centre in each of the Assembly Constituency
n Public toilets (especially for women) will be established in all wards: Rs 25 crore
n Residential facilities for poor families under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojane:
Rs 300 crore
n Infrastructure facilities for newly identified landfill sites for solid waste management and to the neighbouring villages: Rs 200 crore
n Comprehensive development of 100 kms of prominent arterial and sub-arterial roads within BBMP jurisdiction: Rs 300 crore
n Grade separators at prominent, congested junctions:
Rs 500 crore
n Construction of over-bridges at Chalukya Circle, Shivananda Circle, Siddalingaiah Circle and Airport approach Road: Rs 863 crore
n Feasibility study to be taken up for the construction of 28-km link road between Tumkur-Bellary roads for improving connectivity between Electronics City and Bengaluru International Airport under the PPP model.
n Five flyovers will be constructed on the outer ring road at Hebbal, Ibbalur, KR Puram, Doddanekkundi and Central Silk Board junction.
n Construction of peripheral ring road under the PPP model along Bangalore North and East: Rs 2,500 crore
n The government to issue suitable guidelines to expedite increase of floor area ratio (FAR) on wide roads on the City outskirts.
n Elevated corridor to the Bengaluru International Airport, RMV road works and construction of under-bridges in the first phase of the outer ring road project:
Rs 350 crore
n Construction of eight lane grade separators from Okalipuram to Khoday Circle: Rs 80 crore
n Development of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout with 15,000 sites: Rs 2,408 crore
n Construction of 8,000 dwelling units: Rs 1,443 crore
n An International-level science gallery is proposed to be set up at Bangalore in collaboration with International Science Gallery of Ireland, Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Science, Nimhans and Srusti School of Arts, Design and Technology: Rs10 crore