Budget aims to transform Bengaluru into global city

At a time when the city is grappling with many basic problems such as drinking water woes, garbage, bad roads and other woes, the state Budget aims to transform Bengaluru into a ‘global city’ through many offers.

The plans of decongesting the city stand tall, yet again, among the various other offers for the city. This time, the government has proposed to bring in a ‘Bengaluru Mobility Plan’ along with the ‘Nava Bengaluru Kriya Yojane’, both focusing on the development of road infrastructure by constructing grade separators, widening of roads and pedestrian-friendly roads etc. The previous budget had ‘Integrated Road Transport Authority (IRTA)’ to coordinate with BMTC and BMRCL. The construction of Peripheral Ring Road and extension of the Kengeri Metro network have also included in this year’s Budget.

A few changes have been included in the sub-urban rail project by making some changes in Sub-Urban Rail Policy 2018. A special purpose vehicle with the name Bengaluru Rail Infrastructure Development Entity (B-RIDE) will be established.

The plan to convert Commercial Street and Brigade Road as non-motorable streets and complete pedestrian roads is also expected to gather various reactions from citizens. Apart from this, the introduction of Commuter Card, a single card for both BMTC and Metro services is expected to make a seamless ticketing system for both modes of transportation.

When all these measures are taken to decongest the city, there is a disconnect as the government has allotted Rs 1,000 crore for the elevated corridor, urban expert V Ravichander said.

“There should have been a master plan for mobility and projects should have flown out of this plan. Now, there is a disconnect between both,” he said.

To meet the water supply needs of the needs, the Budget proposes tapping into Arkavathy and Dakshina Pinakini rivers under the plan ‘One More Cauvery Will Come to Bengaluru’.

The plan to provide housing on a rental basis for autorickshaw and taxi drivers under the scheme ‘Saarathiya Sooru’ is another project.

To provide social welfare programmes for the SC, ST and Backward Classes in the city, Rs 300 crore has been allotted for the development of slum areas in the city. Earlier, the corporators in January had complained of non-utilisation of funds for welfare programmes in the city.

Apart from this, a Constitution Museum to emphasise on the genesis of the Constitution will be built at a cost of Rs 20 crore, a 450-bed hospital will be built at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and another 450-bed hospital will be constructed in Kidwai Institute of Cancer premises with private partnership.