BDA clears projects worth 300 cr in hurry

The cash-starved Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is now burdened with more projects cleared at the hurriedly held board meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting, chaired by newly appointed chairman S T Somashekhar, and attended by other committee members is said to have abruptly cleared projects worth Rs 300 crore, without following due procedure.

Sources in the BDA told DH that the meeting was called in a hurry and clearance for projects, including improving the roads, laying new roads in Kempegowda Layout, creating parks and landscaping activities were cleared. The projects were sanctioned in the presence of BDA commissioner and other officials who failed to express their objections.

“The BDA is already reeling under a financial crisis, amounting to Rs 5,000 crore. Funds were required to take up water supply works in Anjanapura layout and civil works in Arkavathy layout. Instead, thrust was laid on creating Kempegowda Layout," sources said.

"Stress was laid on works at Banashankari. It was clear at the meeting that there were hidden agendas while issuing orders for the works. It could be in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections polls and also since the state Budget is just a few days away. It is also clear that most projects fall under Somashekhar's constituency - Yeshwanthpur,” sources added.

This is not the first time works have been sanctioned in such haste. At the last board meeting on December 15, too, similar works worth Rs 100 crore were cleared without paying much attention to the objections raised by the BDA officials.

BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh said his request fell on deaf ears at the meeting and he was helpless. Singh, however, quickly said that the BDA will clear projects and issue work orders on priority.

Concerned over the status of the board meetings, a team of BDA officials are planning to request Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to look into the matter.