The Hindu 28.06.2010
Karnataka to implement Rs. 1,300 cr storm water drainage project
Karnataka government has decided to implement a Rs. 1,300 crore storm water drainage and sewerage project in ten assembly constituencies under the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (city corporation) limits.
It was decided to borrow Rs. 605 crore from the World Bank under Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project and utilise Rs. 383 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for execution of the projects.
Government would bear the remaining cost. The project would come up in newly added areas to the BBMP.
Minister for IT, BT and BWSSB, Katta Subramanya Naidu, who chaired a high level meeting of officials and City Legislators to discuss the project, told reporters that work on the project, which was scheduled to begin in 2006, started in 2009 and it would be completed by March 2012.
There was delay in commencement on account of poor response from contractors to take up the project and delay on officials’ part to approach World Bank, he said.
Of the 25 packages, work has commenced in respect of 17 and tenders would be finalised in the case of the rest, Mr. Naidu said.
To a question, he said 4 crore square feet to 4.5 crore square feet of land would be required to widen roads and laying storm water drainage, and sewage pipelines in BBMP limits. Those who lose their land on a “large-scale” would get Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and others who have to part with small property would be paid in cash.
Bangalore Mayor S. K. Nataraj said it was decided to form three Vigilance squads to check and act against illegal structures and violations of building by-laws.
