Whitefield: BBMP loosens purse strings

Bengaluru: A day after residents, office-goers and commuters came out in full support to the protest against the crumbling infrastructure in Whitefield, the BBMP has decided to allot a whopping Rs 350 crore to expedite infrastructure works in Mahadevapura zone.

According to sources, tenders to the tune of Rs 100 crore have already been approved, while other works including the signal-free corridor will be taken up at later stages. BBMP sources said that restoration of roads and improvement of road network was the focus now and the civic body has been holding several meetings with the residents and members of Whitefield Rising to seek their suggestions for improving the road network.

BBMP commissioner G. Kumar Naik, who stressed that an overhaul of infrastructure in Mahadevapura zone was on the cards, said that the civic body was working towards relaying roads and improving major intersections.

“We know that just laying good roads won’t solve the traffic problems across many areas in Whitefield. There are many interior, narrow roads which connect with major junctions and see heavy inflow of vehicles. The resident-activists have suggested that these roads have to be networked properly to improve the traffic movement and we are in the process of finding solutions,” he assured. He said that though there was no time-frame to complete any of the works, some mega projects including the signal-free corridor would be taken up soon.

“As per our initial estimation, works to the tune of Rs 350 crore will be taken up starting with road works. Other infrastructure works like construction of underpass too will be done along with the road works. The state government funds will be g0ranted for all the works,” Mr Naik added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Manjunath Reddy confirmed that Rs 100 crore was granted by the state cabinet and the agency was waiting for the rains to stop, to resume road repair works. “The road conditions have completely deteriorated in the last one month following continuous rainfall. Also, there were complaints that the BWSSB has dug up most of the roads. Though they are willing to restore the roads due to the rains they have stopped the works. Now, most of the major roads are potholed. Last week, we had carried out some patch works but the asphalt wore out after sudden rains. The roads will improve shortly,” he said.

BJP to lay siege to BBMP head office today

Some of the BJP leaders including former deputy CM R. Ashok, Mahadevapura MLA Aravind Limbavali and Opposition party leader Padmanabha Reddy will lay siege to BBMP head office on Wednesday to register their protest against the crumbling infrastructure in Mahadevapura zone. In a press statement, Mr Reddy said that the roads were not in motorable condition and garbage disposal was severely affected.

“The number of accidents in this zone has increased due to the faulty roads. Also, epidemics are on the rise as the entire zone has turned into a dumping yard. Garbage can be found on every corner of the road. To protest against this, we will lay siege to the BBMP head office,” he said.    

Demands by residents

• Speed up signal-free corridor works (K.R Puram and HAL Road)
• Regulate movement of HTVs
• Build skywalks at Kundalahalli Gate, Graphite signal, Big Bazaar road and Hope Farm
• Speedy restoration of roads
• Expedite Metro works   
• De-clog drains
• Permanent solution to stop froth formation in Varthur lake 

Road repairs after rains: George

Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George on Tuesday directed BDA and BBMP authorities to fill up potholes under their jurisdiction at the earliest. Mr George told DC that he held a meeting with BBMP and BDA commissioners, contractors and engineers to direct them to prepare a chart to fill potholes soon after the rain stops.

Engineers and contractors worry that the durability will be a concern if potholes are filled when it rains. They assured to fill potholes in bright days, he said. A whopping Rs 1,372 crore progamme has been taken up to improve the roads. Road works for Rs 300 crore are in progress, while tenders have been finalised for Rs 275 crore for road related works. Besides, tenders will be floated shortly for Rs 797 crore to improve condition of roads.

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