JOIN USThe State budget 2015-16 is unlikely to throw up any surprises in terms of new schemes or proposals to ease the problems of Bengaluru.
Sources in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) say that unlike in the previous State budgets, the budget for the next fiscal may have minimal number of fresh projects for the City, and stick to the previous proposals which are yet to be implemented.
The Palike itself is in a pickle, with mounting debts and increasing pressure on the civic agency to cater to the City.
It is said that the government has not released the previously promised budgetary support of 2013-14 and 2014-15.
While the BBMP was allocated Rs 750 crore in 2013-14 by the previous chief minister Jagadish Shettar, the Congress government increased the grants to Rs 1,527 crore for the Palike in 2014-15 by aggregating the funds from Nagarothana Scheme, 13th Finance Commission schemes, State Finance Commission schemes, Lake Development scheme and Chief Minister’s Special Grants scheme.
However, sources state that the total assistance received by the BBMP was only Rs 600 crore vis-a-vis the funds promised under both the financial years.
It is expected that even this financial year, the Palike will be left to fend for itself, despite the government showing off its largesse in the budgetary announcements.
The BBMP appears to be in financial doldrums with revenue from advertising tax falling short by over Rs 150 crore and the expected revenue from optical fibre cables being truncated to only Rs 200 crore against Rs 700 crore expected for the present year.
Proposals
It is expected that the State Budget may see the mention of at least two of the six proposed elevated corridors in the City. The elevated roads proposed by the BBMP include the North-South corridor from Central Silk Board to Hebbal (10.6 km); the East-West corridor connecting KR Puram and Goraguntepalya (19.7 km) and East-West corridor-2 connecting Jnanabharathi to Varthur Kodi (27.7 km).
This apart, stretches connecting Agara with Kalasipalyam, Richmond Road connecting Ulsoor, and Kalyan Nagar junction to Wheeler Road junction may also find a mention. However, the whopping estimate of Rs 18,094 crore for the six projects may dent the intentions of the BBMP to embark upon new infrastructure projects.
Besides, allocations for BMRCL and BDA layouts may also find a mention. The solid waste management allocations are expected to go up on account of the Palike spending Rs 600 crore annually towards disposal of waste from the City.