The Hindu             27.07.2013

BBMP budget glosses over city’s problems

Burning issues such as traffic congestion,
poor road quality and solid waste management get a mere nod in the
budget presented by Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy. Most projects such as
signal-free corridors, grade separators, junction improvements and
elevated corridors mentioned are just a repeat appearance. The budget
has proposed to bring back paid parking and a policy is being framed in
this direction by the BBMP, in consultation with the Directorate of
Urban Land Transport.

The opposition parties flayed
the budget, whose outlay is smaller than the previous three years’ (see
Page 2), saying it “lacked vision” and failed to address the city’s
rising infrastructure problems.

However, the ruling
Bharatiya Janata Party in the BBMP council maintained that it gives
impetus to infrastructure, solid waste management, health and welfare
schemes. The budget appeared to be banking on Rs. 1,732 crore in
government grants to fund various development projects.

JNNURM projects

Various
projects, including road-related works and underground drainage
systems, entailing Rs. 2,128.03 crore have been proposed under
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Transitional
Phase. Some of the projects proposed include eight-lane corridor at
Okalipuram junction, elevated road from Minerva Circle to Hudson Circle,
skywalks at Hudson Circle and Mysore Bank Circle.

Taking
into cognisance the poor quality of roads, Rs. 300 crore has been set
aside for asphalting selected roads in the city. That apart, Rs. 50
crore has been reserved for arterial and sub-arterial roads. The BBMP
has earmarked Rs. 30 crore for 200 main junctions.

The
BBMP appeared to be confident in collecting Rs. 3,200 crore in property
taxes this year, compared to the Rs. 1,200 crore last fiscal. It
proposed to enlist civil engineering students of Bangalore University to
take up verification of commercial buildings. Simplifying the tax
payment process, the BBMP has tied up with banks to make it easier for
citizens to pay tax.

Opposition councillors pointed
out that the BBMP has a success rate of less than 50 per cent of
proposals in previous budgets. For instance, its 2012-13 budget outlay
was Rs. 9,937 crore but the total receipts added up to only Rs. 4,689
crore. With just eight months left in the current fiscal, the
councillors said this time too it would be no different.

Mayor
Murthy insisted it was a “realistic” budget, prepared keeping in mind
the BBMP’s precarious financial health. The budget discussions have been
scheduled on Monday and Tuesday, following which it would be sent to
the government for approval.