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BBMP yet to begin City development

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:40 administrator

Source : Deccan Herald Date : 08.07.2009 BBMP yet to begin City development
Sandeep Moudgal,DH News Service,Bangalore:
Infrastructure definitely got a big boost - at least on paper - with the Union Budget indicating the availability of a whopping Rs 1,00,000 crore for speeding up infrastructure projects across the country.

Yet, the progress of the development works in Bangalore doesn’t show any sign of urgency. Here’s why: Since April 2009, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has completed only 15 per cent of the ‘small works’ allotted to it as part of its task of developing 12 of the City’s 28 Assembly constituencies. On the other hand, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), responsible for the small and medium works for the remaining 16 constituencies, is yet to call for tenders! “The tender process was delayed due to the recently concluded Parliamentary elections,” said a Palike official. It is learnt that the newly appointed BBMP Commissioner, Bharat Lal Meena has now directed the officials to call for tenders and disburse works within two months. According to the State Budget allocations, the Palike has Rs 6 crore earmarked for each ward. The works include maintenance of roads, footpath, street lights, parks, storm drains and other immediate issues that need to be addressed. The budgetary allocation made to the BBMP for these works is Rs 300 crore. “With most of the areas already developed, the allocations are justified for the maintenance to be carried,” said the Palike official. No consolidated list However, the Palike does not have a consolidated list of small works to be carried out in the 16 constituencies in Bangalore. The Bangalore Development Authority was allotted Rs 626 crore in the State Budget to assist the Palike in maintaining the City. While most constituencies allocated to it for development are relatively less developed -which explains the higher budgetary allocation, the work progress is slow. 1,554 works In all, the Bangalore Development Authority is entrusted with 1,554 works. “Since the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is yet to complete certain works, we are unable to progress with nearly 398 works in these constituencies,” explained a Bangalore Development Authorityofficial. A total of 985 allotted works worth Rs 418.31 crore have already begun, accounting for the 15 per cent progress till date. “We will be able to complete the works by end of July,” said a confident Bangalore Development Authority official.

GHMC sleeping on houses for poor

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:31 administrator

Source : Deccan Chronicle Date : 08.07.2009

GHMC sleeping on houses for poor

Hyderabad

July 7: Though the state government had plans to allot over 42,000 flats to the poor before the GHMC polls, the corporation has been able to complete only 17,000 flats. However, of the total 17,000 flats completed, almost 12,000 were allotted before the Assembly elections to beneficiaries mostly from Ranga Reddy district. The remaining 5,000 flats will be allotted to families from Hyderabad by the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, during his city tour beginning on July 13.

The state government had initially wanted to allot these houses before the Assembly elections. The corporation had even received a financial sanction for these flats from Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Sources said the project was being completed at a snail’s pace due to litigations over the sites selected for building the housing colonies. The corporation has not able to hand over the project sites to the contractors. Due to the delay, the construction cost of each flat increased. While the JNNURM authorities sanctioned Rs 1 lakh per unit, the cost per unit has increased to Rs 2 lakh.

The GHMC engineer-in-chief, Mr Panduranga Rao said that works on the remaining 25,000 flats were yet to begin. “Due to increase in unit cost, we are planning to execute this project under a different scheme. Works will start shortly,” he added.

Corporation plans more sewerage treatment plants

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:04 administrator

The New Indian Express 08.07.2009

Corporation plans more sewerage treatment plants

Express News Service

KOCHI: In order to address the long-pending needs of Kochi for a better sewerage system, the Kochi Corporation will accelerate the steps being taken for the implementation of the new sewerage project and the renovation of the existing system.

According to Deputy Mayor C K Manisankar, tenders have already been invited for the project. “The new project, at an estimated cost of Rs 74.81 crore, will cover the West Kochi area. Along with the new project, the Corporation will also speed up the renovation of the existing sewerage system,” he said.

Nearly 10 new pump houses are required for the implementation of the projects. The corporation has initiated steps for the land acquisition for these projects, he added.

Manisankar said that the renovation project would strengthen the sewerage system in Elamkulam and nearby areas.

The allocation for the project is Rs 102 crore, which is under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:10

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