Work to decongest Hebbal Junction soon: CM

Tenders have been invited to widen the Hebbal flyover and build an underpass to decongest traffic on the road to the Kempegowda International Airport, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday.

“The Rs 82-cr project to decongest the Hebbal Junction will begin soon. Tenders for the same have been floated already. Once completed,  it will facilitate a signal-free ride to the airport,” he told reporters after reviewing development works at various places in the City. An announcement on the said project was made in the budget this year.

The chief minister also announced construction of three skywalks in the region. The Columbia Asia Hospital has offered to build a skywalk on Ballari Road near Esteem mall. An MoU will be signed between the BBMP, the NHAI and Columbia Asia Hospital on the construction of skywalk at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. Skywalks will be built at Manyata Tech Park and near Kempapura. The BDA commissioner has been told to take up the work.

The CM asked civic agencies to have a better coordination to ensure hurdle-free works and said a coordination committee would be formed to ensure that. He will instruct the chief secretary to issue an order in this regard.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Bengaluru in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy, Information Minister R Roshan Baig,  Minister of State for Agriculture, Krishna Byre Gowda and Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath, visited Hebbal, Kempapura valley, Yelahanka Lake, Allalasandra rail overbridge construction site and Puttenahalli Lake. He expressed his displeasure over the sluggish pace of works at Haj Ghar and instructed the contractor to expedite it.

Siddaramaiah lambasted the Forest department for not allowing the BBMP to go ahead with rejuvenation of Puttenahalli Lake at Yelahanka. He directed it to hold a meeting and decide whether it will allow the BBMP to rejuvenate the lake  or it will take it up on their own.

People were seen making complaints to the chief minister. Some residents complained about inaction of officials. A few even threatened to boycott BBMP polls if officials fail to address their problems. The residents of Yogeshnagar in Kempapura Ward complained that the area gets flooded during rains. He directed the officials to build retaining walls on either side of the SWD.

The chief minister’s City rounds appeared to be a party affair as Congress workers stood greeting him with flowers, Mysuru petas and shawls. Flex boards and banners were erected all along the roads.

City tours a poll gimmick: Shettar

BJP leader Jagadish Shettar on Saturday described Chief Minister Siddaramaiah frequently touring Bengaluru city as a poll gimmick. He said the chief minister was going on City rounds with an eye on the BBMP election. “He had not bothered to conduct any inspection in the last two years in Bengaluru. Now, he is doing it due to the polls. He has no concern for the citizens of Bengaluru,” he said.