Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday set a 10-month deadline for the project that proposes to turn 9.6 km of the Koramangala Valley from a sewage carrier into a modern waterfront.
Laying the foundation stone for the Rs 179-crore project in Shanthinagar, the chief minister said the state government would sanction all the necessary funds and that civic bodies did not have to worry about the finances. “The Koramangala valley will bring international recognition to Bengaluru,” he promised.
BBMP administrator Gaurav Gupta said the walkway next to the valley would be developed along the lines of Church Street. BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad declared the work would begin in the next 10 days and the civic body was well prepared for it.
City-based construction firm Star Infratech has bagged the contract to execute the project which is also seen as a solution to artificial floods.
Koramangala valley, one of the biggest natural valleys of Bengaluru, flows into Bellandur Lake. However, the discharge of sewage, untreated industrial domestic effluents and dumping of garbage has polluted the valley. Unregulated building activities have also led to channelisation of the drain reducing the overall capacity of the SWD.
The K-100 project proposes to address the key issues of pollution, air quality, water scarcity and flood mitigation. The project also aims to enhance green and natural infrastructure of the city by using natural materials and bio-remediation techniques to improve the quality of water.
The waterfront, planned to be made into a popular spot for tourists, walkers, artists and performers, will be able to interact and make the valley even livelier. The valley will also be under 24/7 CCTV camera surveillance.