The Hindu 15.02.2014
Push for drinking water schemes, underground drainage in urban areas
Earmarking Rs. 9,995 crore for urban development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the focus will be on providing drinking water and underground drainage (UGD) system in urban areas.
Costing Rs. 697 crore
Presenting the 2014-15 budget here, Mr. Siddaramaiah said as many as 14 drinking water supply schemes and 10 underground drainage schemes will be taken up at a cost of Rs. 697 crore.
Another six water supply and seven UGD schemes under Centrally-sponsored schemes will be implemented at Rs. 247.2 crore, he said.
As many as 26,323 houses with basic infrastructure will be constructed in 39 cities for residents of 124 slums.
These houses will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,335 crore to make Karnataka a slum-free State, Mr. Siddaramaiah said. Setting apart Rs. 75 crore to undertake solid waste management, the Chief Minister said three modern abattoirs will be constructed with Central assistance.
Infrastructure
Improving road infrastructure has been the government’s priority, the Chief Minister said, and added 544 km of most underdeveloped roads will be improved under special development programmes.
Special grant
He also provided a special grant of Rs. 50 crore for repair of battered roads and bridges due to torrential rain in Kodagu district.
On railway projects, Mr. Siddaramaiah said action will be taken to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects.
The government will release Rs. 540 crore for this. Lands and other facilities will be provided for rail coach factories at Kolar and Yadgir, he added. Taking paperless office a step forward, Mr. Siddaramaiah announced that online services will be introduced in all regional transport offices across the State for various works. They include filing of applications for registration of vehicles, learner’s licences and driver’s licences.
RTO services
At the same time, vehicle inspection and certification centres will be established in Gulbarga, Mangalore and Shimoga, to issue fitness certificates to commercial vehicles. To take forward the automated driving test track concept, such tracks will be set up in Bellary, Gadag and Madikeri, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
