BDA master plan inspection committee to be set up

The government will set up a coordination panel to ensure the effective implementation of the Bangalore Development Authority's master plan in a time-bound manner.

The committee will comprise of urban experts, stakeholders from various government departments and special appointees from the state government. Though a few names of officials and experts are doing the rounds, the government is yet to disclose details of the panel members.  

The committee will look into the micro-level planning of how the master plan has to be implemented in a phased and structured  manner. It will also list out the priority areas and projects that  should be taken up first. The committee will hold review meetings to enforce deadlines and ensure that there are no further delays, said  BDA Town Planning member, N K Thippeswamy.

During public consultation meetings held by the BDA in May and June, citizens sought to know from  officials how effectively the 2015 master plan had been implemented. They had also questioned the delay in development projects.

Citizens had suggested that the BDA first focus on completing the 2015 master plan works before undertaking new projects  in the 2031 plan. Some had mooted the formation of a committee to review the works and take stern action against officials showing laxity.

Another BDA official said that since reviews showed that works by the BDA and other civic departments were poorly implemented, guidance of the committee would  be helpful.

The BDA will also undertake a survey and prepare a document on  how much work of the 2015 master plan has been implemented on the ground, and make it public. This document will also act as a base for the 2031 master plan and the committee.

Citizens' complaints  

The number of suggestions and grievances from citizens is increasing by the  day. The  most number of complaints are that the provisional master plan is in English and not Kannada. Many Bengalureans have also pointed that they are unable to download it due to technical errors.