Debris on footpath leads to BBMP engineers' suspension

Bengaluru Development Minister K J George has suspended two Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) engineers for allowing private builders to dump debris on footpaths.

Devaraj, an assistant executive engineer, and Keshav Murthy, an assistant engineer, both posted in Aramane Nagar ward under Mathikere subdivision of the BBMP, have been suspended.

Accompanied by Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy and Palike officials, George undertook a surprise visit on Friday to inspect the quality of road works under the Nagarothana scheme. On finding mounds of debris on footpaths on CV Raman Road and 11th Cross Jeevaraj Alva Road, he ordered the suspension of Devaraj and Murthy, who were in charge of that area. He also directed BBMP officials to issue notice to the builders and fine them.

During the inspection, the minister was greeted with heaps of garbage dumped on the footpath on the 8th main road on the same stretch, missing slabs on footpaths and Optical Fibre Cables (OFCs) obstructing the pedestrians. He asked the engineer concerned to immediately address the problems. The minister gave a dressing-down to the contractor and the PWD engineer for not erecting a board on Jayamahal Road with details of ongoing work, date of commencement and cost of the project, which is mandatory for all development works.

George inspected road works being carried out under the Nagarothana scheme in Bhoopasandra 3rd cross road, Outer Ring Road to Telecom Layout, HBR 5th Block and 1st main Telecom Layout, HBR to Telecom Layout and K Channasandra Layout. He also examined KG Road, Richmond Circle and Residency Road, which are being redeveloped under Tender SURE project.

Rs 797 cr for roads
Later in the day, George told reporters that the BBMP would develop 1,155 ward-level roads in all its eight zones under 80 packages at the cost of Rs 797 crore under the Nagarothana scheme. The works will be commissioned soon by single-window clearance, he said.

Currently, the Palike is asphalting 268 roads under 43 packages at the cost of Rs 417 crore and the Public Works Department (PWD) carrying out road works under 13 packages at the cost of Rs 260 crore.