Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday directed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao to ensure that “all potholes should be filled, and one layer of tar should be laid in a week".
He gave the instruction from the stage during the gudli puja (ground-breaking ceremony) for the modernisation and white-topping of eight roads in the Gandhinagar assembly constituency, located in the city’s historic Pete areas.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Health Minister and local MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah highlighted the area’s historical significance. “The streets here, which were market streets during Kempegowda’s time, still retain the character of that era,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing “abundant funds” for Bengaluru’s development, citing the city’s rapid population growth.
The chief minister also took a swipe at the Centre over funding and taxation, claiming that 87 per cent of the funds for the Bengaluru Metro come from the state’s taxpayers.
He criticised the Centre’s handling of the GST, alleging that Karnataka and its people had lost Rs 15,000 crore due to recent revisions. He also questioned the prime minister’s announcement of a “Diwali gift”, saying it was money “extorted... after implementing GST".
Project details
White-topping of 5.57 km of roads in the Gandhinagar constituency, costing Rs 58.44 crore, is slated for completion in 11 months.
Stretches include:
BT Street
Rangaswamy Temple Street
Sultanpet Main Road
Kilari Road
Hospital Road
BMTC Road (Dhanavantri Road to Gubbi Thotadappa Road)
Tank Bund Road
Race Course Road (Maurya Junction to Hare Krishna Junction)
The project includes a 2.7-metre-wide, white-topped carriageway and installation of essential utilities such as stormwater drains, power ducts, OFC ducts, water supply lines, sewer lines, and parking bays.