The Times of India 09.09.2009
JN-NURM And New Infrastructure Plan Look Similar
Going by the BBMP’s own estimates and development plans, a Rs 22,536-crore city development plan, designed in 2006, is already on the anvil. The latest is the Bangalore infrastructure plan, unveiled on Saturday with a spend of Rs 22,000 crore.
What’s new?
Both plans focus on infrastructure, with little difference. The first has flyovers as a solution to traffic congestion, the second has a modified version of flyovers — elevated corridors.
* Underpasses done away with, for escalator-powered elevators
* Plan kissed goodbye to magic box underpasses, will be replaced by escalator-powered skywalks
* Has 12 traffic-free corridors
* Elevated North-South corridor between Madiwala and Hebbal, cost Rs 1,800 cr
* Elevated eastern connectivity corridor from Vellara Junction to Kundalahalli, cost Rs 1,200 cr
* Roads in new BBMP zones
* 40 road over/underbridges, roads over storm water drains, remodelling of drains in new areas
Grand total: Rs 22,000 crore
Deadline: Again, 2012
“There is nothing new. Whatever was planned in 2006 has been rebranded and spelt out again. Look at the status of JN-NURM projects, they are in limbo. Only 7% of the work has been taken up and instead of concentrating on hastening these projects, the government has yet another plan. Will that mean the city gets a double bonanza? We need work and financial audits on these projects,” former Bangalore mayor P R Ramesh said.
Projects won’t overlap
Said transport minister, in-charge of Bangalore, R Ashoka, “The two plans are entirely different. The plan for JN-NURM was done when the city was BMP with just 226 sqkm. The infrastructure plan of 2009 caters to 750 sqkm. However, if a project overlaps, it will be deleted from the latest plan. JN-NURM’s projects will go on as planned. The new plan is for a bigger Bangalore and we have included elevated corridors, road over drains and works for new areas. It will not be clubbed with JN-NURM projects.”
FUNDING PATTERN
* Govt will approach Union urban development ministry for Rs 2,000 crore under JN-NURM
* Hudco committed to lend Rs 6,000 crore
* State, BDA will give Rs 2,000 cr each
* Rest by BBMP
JN-NURM PROGRESS
Sanctioned: 46 projects to remodel storm water drains, construct underpasses, grade separators, rehabilitate sewerage system, bulk water flow metering system, sanitation in old CMC areas, development of TTMCs, rehabilitation of slums
Cost: Rs 3,141.61 cr
Utilised: Only Rs 717.5 cr
