Newskarnataka – Bangalore
Bangalore: Even as the people of Karnataka were glued to the TV for the swearing-in ceremony of the 15th Prime Minister of India, BJP’s Narendra Modi, on Monday May 26, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah chose to skip the event and inspect public projects in the city.
The CM said that the annual budget of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP), which has been awaiting government approval for the past few months, would receive approval in two days and the city would be spruced up within the next 18 months which is the deadline he had given the city authorities to execute the plan.
Apart of his city project works tour, the CM also inaugurated the Rs 30.14 crore Prof CNR Rao circle underpass connecting Malleswaram and Mekhri Circle to Yeshwanthpur, which has been long delayed and nearly four years in the making.
The chief minister, who had taken engineers involved with the construction of the underpass to task soon after coming to power last year, said the project delay was unfortunate and promised that he will ensure delays do not happen in projects aimed at public good.
“As per the request of the city mayor, we have already granted Rs 1,000 crore for the city’s overall development. Besides, Rs 1,385 crore sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) will be utilized for development of storm water-drains at Yelahanka, Mahadevapura and Dasarahalli, along with steel over-bridges in various parts of the city,’’ he said.
Siddaramaiah also inspected the Rs 78 crore first package of Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) work progressing at the Cunningham Road and Vittal Mallya road. He said the work order had been issued for the Rs 61 crore second package covering the Modi Hospital Road, K G Road, Siddhaiah Road, Nrupathunga Road and Jayanagar 11th main.
The CM also said BBMP would develop signal-free corridors on the Dr Raj Kumar Road and at the Old Airport Road at a cost of Rs 29.6 crore and Rs 109 crore respectively. The asphalting work had begun at 93 of the 230 main roads in the city stretching over 395 km. The project is estimated to cost Rs 560 crore and apart from road development will also focus on road beautification, he informed.
