Urban News

Indian Express  11.12.2010

Development plan: French firm official speaks Marathi, consultant gets nod

After delaying the appointment of a consultant for revising the development plan of the city because the presentation of the consultant firm was not available in Marathi, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation finally appointed a consortium of French and Indian companies for the same on Friday.

The standing committee members approved the proposal on Friday, but not before a French official from the Paris-based urban design firm, Memoris, spoke a few lines in Marathi. His Indian counterpart also made the presentation in Marathi.

The consortium, which comprises Memoris and SCE India Pvt Ltd of Bangalore, has been asked to prepare a detailed DP over the next 27 months at a cost of Rs 5.68 crore. It will provide the technical as well as manpower assistance in chalking out the new DP using geographic information system, quick bird satellite imagery etc. It will also formulate a land use survey map on the basis of a base map and suggest reservations to be made on land.

The standing committee members had, in their meeting on December 1, postponed the approval for the consultant’s appointment because the presentation was in English. The presentation on Friday, however, was in Marathi completely. An official from the DP said, “When the French company knew the reason for delay, they said one of their officials would learn to speak a few lines in Marathi to please the corporators.”

The Hindu  11.12.2010

BBMP panel inspects parks

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The BBMP Standing Committee for Horticulture inspected the parks in Padmanabhanagar on Friday.

The committee members visited Ganesh Mandir ward to check on the condition of trees and plants in the parks and if the borewells and fountains were working. Committee Chairperson Ranganna directed officials concerned to clear fallen leaves.

The members later visited the Vanaranga Park and ordered repair of broken benches and providing drinking water for walkers.

Fencing

Mr. Ranganna directed contractors at Banashankar 3rd Phase park to complete the fencing work that has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 59.09 lakh and the pathway for Rs. 40 lakh as soon as possible.