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Water transport project: German bank team to visit city tomorrow

Thursday, 19 February 2015 06:20 administrator

The Hindu 19.02.2015

Water transport project: German bank team to visit city tomorrow

A three-member team from the German Development Bank, KfW, will visit Kochi on February 20 and 21 to assess the possibilities of developing the inland waterways of Kochi.

An official statement from the Kochi Metro Rail Limited said the team was slated to visit the proposed metro routes, other mobility infrastructure in the city and islands that are proposed to be connected with the waterways. Further, they will also hold discussions with Elias George, Managing Director, KMRL, and meet with other stakeholders of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA).

The members of the team are Heiko Warnken, Head of Economic Cooperation and Development, German Embassy, Felix Klauda, Head of Division, Urban Development and Mobility -South Asia, and Usha Rao, Senior Sector Specialist – Energy and Transport, KfW Delhi Office

The plan mooted by the KMRL for the development of the water transport network in Kochi include rolling out new advanced hi-tech boats that are faster and more comfortable than the existing boats. The renovation of existing boat jetties, which are in a dilapidated condition, and construction of new boat jetties have also been included in the proposal. Along with the renovation of the jetties, essential facilities such as toilets and adequate parking space for the public will also be set up.

The KMRL is looking at receiving assistance to the tune of Rs. 624 crore from the German bank for improving water transport, other feeder services and non-motorised transport facilities in and around the city.

Earlier, the KMRL had prepared a preliminary project report, which was submitted to KfW for availing funds. The agency, however, sought a more comprehensive Detailed Project Report, which is now being prepared by the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) under the Union Urban Affairs Ministry.

Exploring more options on water transport as a feeder system to the metro rail, the KMRL had held discussions with various stakeholders in the network on January 13. A joint team of the UMTC and the KMRL had also visited the probable water routes in the city in December, 2014.

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 February 2015 06:22

BBMP to stop installation of new telecom towers

Thursday, 19 February 2015 06:15 administrator

The Hindu 19.02.2015

BBMP to stop installation of new telecom towers

State government to come up with guidelines to regulate towers

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to stop installation of new telecom towers till the State government comes up with guidelines for their regulation. The decision was taken in a review meeting chaired by district in-charge Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday.

However, it is to be seen as to how successful BBMP would be in its endeavour as its earlier attempts to regulate telecom towers in the city were a failure. An attempt was made in 2011 to levy tax of Rs. 12,000 on each telecom tower. High Court struck down the move saying that law did not have such a provision.

Presently, telecom companies erecting towers do not seek permission from BBMP. BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayana said that the Karnataka Municipality Act, 1964 under which BBMP is governed is yet to factor in the new development of telecom towers and thus they had no authority to control them.

At the moment, telecom companies seek an approval from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for erecting towers. Though a government order directs telecom companies to seek a no-objection from the local body, it is being followed only in the breach. The issue was recently raised in the Assembly and Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the government would come up with guidelines. BBMP has now decided to stop any new towers from being erected till the guidelines are notified.

BBMP’s score is less than 40 per cent

Thursday, 19 February 2015 05:45 administrator

The Hindu 19.02.2015

BBMP’s score is less than 40 per cent

The city is plagued by several infrastructural issues. Better roads, clear footpaths, storm water drains…these have remained a Utopian dream for citizens.

The financially-starved Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, which is largely responsible for improving infrastructure and providing civic amenities, has failed in its obligatory duty, feel citizens.

Though the civic body’s budgets paint a rosy picture, implementation has been poor — just around 40 per cent.

The former Opposition Leader in BBMP council, M.K. Gunasekhar, pointed out that the average budget implementation has been poor, which was indicative of the poor resource mobilisation. He also lamented about the lack of transparency in preparation of budget.

As per the Karnataka Local Fund Authorities Fiscal Responsibilities Act, 2003 the views of citizens’ groups and non-governmental organisations must be sought ahead of the budget preparation. Several residents’ welfare associations in the city concurred.

D.S. Rajashekhar, president of the Citizens’ Action Forum, said long-term and short-term priorities should be set for the wards. This could later be incorporated in the budget, he said.

Vijayan Menon, president of Koramangala Residents’ Welfare Association, said this could happen only if ward committees were active.

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 February 2015 05:52

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