BDA to place request for funds at pre-Budget meeting

The cash-starved Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has decided to seek Rs 1,000 crore from the government to take up infrastructure works in the city.

A proposal in this respect is being chalked out in the wake of the upcoming pre-Budget meeting to be held by Chief Minister and deputy chief minister with all government agencies.

According to the BDA sources, the authority is keen on seeking at least Rs 1,000 crore from the government to take up infrastructure works, which does not include the formation of the 65 km-long Peripheral Ring Road.

The authority wants funds to add another loop and widen the existing Hebbal flyover and Goraguntepalya flyover.

“In the case of Goraguntepalya, more funds are needed to acquire land as there are defence and private lands in the area. The work on the Hebbal flyover has not been included as it is being linked to the proposed steel flyover also,” the source asserted.

With the funds, the authority wants to rejuvenate the Bellandur Lake and also take up works for other lakes which are under it. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has not taken the lakes from the BDA.

“The plan is to revive them, form local watch groups and make it a community initiative in maintaining them. It has been observed that each time the lake is revived, it is ignored and the lake dies. We do not want to let that happen,” the source added.

The BDA also seek Rs 4,000 crore in addition to what the cabinet has sanctioned, for the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR).

According to the sources, the cabinet recently sanctioned Rs 2,500 crore for the PRR. But to speed up the land acquisition process and start other works, there is a need for more money. So in total, Rs 6,500 crore is needed, the source pointed out.