The Deccan Chronicle 31.08.2010
BBMP budget: More promises?Bengaluru, Aug. 30: The much delayed BBMP Budget for 2010-11 was presented on Monday, nearly five months after the new BBMP council came into being, giving priority to solving the city’s parking problems and improving its civic amenities without burdening the people with additional taxes. While the cash-strapped BBMP has not announced major projects, it has given a thrust to development of roads, drains, footpaths, grade separators and traffic management.
True to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s promise to give the city more concrete roads, the Budget has set aside Rs 25 crore for white topping major roads over 30 km in a first phase of the project. Roads to the Bengaluru International Airport are in for a makeover at a cost of Rs 40 crore, and footpaths across the city are expected to be modernised at a cost of Rs 20 crore. Building of seven signal-free corridors has received Rs 1,000 crore. Interestingly, elevated steel bridges and underground tunnels are in the offing to ease traffic conditions in the city.
Presenting the Budget, BBMP chairman, taxation and finance P.N. Sadashiva said 20 multi-level parking lots have been planned in association with BDA, which will be built under a public private partnership near Freedom Park, Gandhi Bazaar Main Road, near Garuda Mall and the Jayanagar Shopping Complex among other places.
An underground tunnel will be built between Majestic to the City Market and from Majestic to Okalipuram, an elevated steel bridge will be constructed between Minerva Circle and Hudson Circle. Both projects will cost Rs 6 crore to complete.
The city may see better garbage management in future as a solid waste programme spread over five years has been announced at a cost of Rs 200 crore. Also, new parks will be developed and old parks will reportedly see better upkeep, all at a cost of Rs 159 crore. A sum of Rs 97.97 crore has been set aside for giving lakes a facelift.
A mosquito control programme, distribution of free health kits to pregnant women and upgradation of hospitals also find mention in the Budget.
As far as education goes, faculty of BBMP schools will receive special training and extra classes will be held for students. A Sahitya Bhavana has been planned at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
BBMP is going tech savvy and plans to do online registration of deaths and births and also introduce an automated building plan approval system.
The Malleswaram and Jayanagar shopping complexes are in for a new look as is the Kalasipalyam bus station. Commercial complexes with parking facility have been planned for Gandhi Bazaar and Johnson Market.
