The Pioneer                  26.04.2013

BMC identifying vacant land plots for putting them to commercial use

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started identifying vacant land for bringing into commercial use. It has proposed to establish hawker’s corner and other commercial projects on basis of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode over such land.

The BMC squad would also renovate the old shops located in major markets. Multi-storey buildings would also be constructed there as required. As the corporation is carrying out various development works, it will also provide land or floors in multi-story complex on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.

The BMC officials are of view that these development works would resolve the problem of encroachments to a large extent. A meeting of BMC officials was held on Wednesday on this matter. The zonal officials were instructed to identify vacant lands in the wards of their respective zones and collect the information of how the land could be bring into commercial use.

The officials have been asked to submit the complete report till Friday. After the submission of report, another meeting would be held to discuss the auction of the lands and discussion over other upcoming projects would also be held.

Further, BMC would establish women hawker’s corner by this year. BMC Additional Commissioner GP Mali and Deputy Commissioner Revenue Pradeep Verma are asked to look into matter and work out the plan accordingly.

The BMC is also focusing on the shops located at the prime locations. The squad would renovate the damaged old buildings or shops located there. With this project, the rent of the shops would be increased and other monthly expenses would also take a hike.

Another meeting on the matter would be convened on Friday.

The Statesman               26.04.2013

Foot overbridges to come up on Gariahat Road, Syed Amir Ali Avenue

KOLKATA, 26 APRIL: Two foot overbridges will come up on Gariahat Road  and Syed Amir Ali Avenue for smooth movement of traffic.

The foot overbridges will be constructed by Selvel and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC). The Kolkata Municipal Corporation cleared the proposal yesterday.

Several other foot overbridges will be constructed in the city. RITES has been entrusted to conduct a survey and study its feasibility. Earlier, Kolkata Police had submitted a report to the KMC requesting it to allow construction of foot overbridges at eight important intersections.

Senior civic officials said the overbridge on Gariahat Road would be constructed at Ballygunge Circular Road intersection. They will be fitted with escalators.

For three decades Selvel had the right to put up advertisements at the foot overbridge near bridge number 4. The agency agreed to build the overbridge on Gariahat Road and it will have the right to advertise on the new overbridge and will pay KMC its charges.

The other foot overbridge will come up on Syed Amir Ali Avenue opposite the shopping mall constructed by CESC. It will also be fitted with an escalator.

Senior police officers said of the nine foot overbridges in the city, three of them ~ at Gariahat, bridge number 4 and opposite NRS Medical College and hospital ~ are used by pedestrians. Elderly people cannot climb the stairs. Also, the foot overbridges have become a den for criminals after sunset.

People drive at high speed along Ballygunge Circular Road-Gariahat Road intersection. Chances of road accidents along the stretch has gone up. The foot overbridges will ensure smooth traffic flow and also safety for pedestrians.