Urban News

The Deccan Herald   26.11.2010

‘KR Market underpass to be completed by March’

Bangalore, nov 25, DHNS:

The work on the underpass at K R Market that had dragged on for four years would finally be completed by March next year, said the BBMP's Major Work Standing Committee Chairperson H Ravindra on Thursday.

He made the assurance while inspecting the work at K R Market and its adjoining areas.

Ravindra held the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) responsible for the delay in the completion of the underpass.

The BWSSB did not shift the pipelines despite the Palike paying it Rs 1 crore for the purpose. However, owing to increased pressure on the BWSSB, it has agreed to shift the pipelines within a fortnight.

The Palike has decided to repair the Mysore Road flyover at a cost of Rs 3.15 crore. Also, the asphalting of the roads in the area would begin shortly, he said. 

The Standing Committee Chairperson, who visited the interiors of the K R Market, spotted many buildings that were constructed in violation of the building by-laws.

He directed the Palike officers to identify illegal structures and take suitable action. Also, Ravindra directed them to recover one-and-half acres of land in the area that has been encroached upon.

The Palike is planning to rent out a portion of the multi-storeyed parking lot at the Market to car accessory dealers. Moreover, the badly maintained building will be renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 22 lakh, said Ravindra.

“The Palike is committed towards giving a facelift to Bangalore city, including K R Market, which was previously untouched,” he said.

The Pioneer  26.11.2010

Staff Reporter | Bhopal

Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Manish Singh on Thursday instructed officials to ensure that the work in the water supply pipeline, connecting Kerwa Dam to Upper Lake, must be completed, latest by the end of the year.

Singh was reviewing the activities of the water works department at the Mata Mandir office of the BMC. Notably, comprehensive arrangements to strengthen the water supply are underway, amid fears of a scarcity of potable water during the summers.

Singh also issued several other important directives at the meeting, including the blacklisting of contractors who have failed to commence work, despite being issued the requisite orders. The Commissioner also expressed dissatisfaction over tardiness in the laying of pipelines and the repair of leaks.

Engineers of the water works department were also directed to carry out frequent rounds of their respective areas and ensure that pipeline leaks were plugged within 24 hours of their discovery.

Furthermore, the commissioner also termed as mandatory the activity to maintain a keen vigil on the quality of the various water supply projects coming up in the State capital. Singh said officials should also ascertain the quality of the material being used by the contractors.

Water supply has bee a major issue in the city. The subject was repeatedly raised by Corporators in the general council meet on Wednesday. It was alleged that a number of localities were not receiving their fair share of the lifeline liquid due to faults in the valve operating system.

Similarly, the issue of repairing leaks in the water supply pipeline has also been challenging for BMC. Despite repeated attempts, the Corporation has not been able to stop the water from gushing out on the roads from such faults in the pipelines.

With an overtly scanty rainfall this monsoon and the water reservoirs around the State capital way below normal mark, the BMC is gearing up for the onset of the summers, the peak demand season for water.