Bengaluru: Striving hard to shed his anti-Bengaluru image, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday set aside close to Rs 10,000 crore for comprehensive development of the city which has been crying for help to fix its crumbling infrastructure. Of the funds promised, Rs 5,018 crore is expected from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
Besides four elevated corridors to ease traffic on the roads, especially in the IT-BT hubs of Whitefield and Peenya Industrial areas, the Budget has met the long pending demand of Bengalureans for a commuter train with the allocation of an initial Rs 100 crore for the project, which will be undertaken in partnership with the Union government. The periphery of the city, which is begging for development, has been allocated Rs 250 crore.
Four major arteries of the city are to be converted into signal-free corridors at an estimated cost of Rs 440 crore and 12 central business district roads covering 16.57 kms will get a TenderSure makeover at a cost of Rs 200 crore, the Budget promises. Also, a new Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) is expected to help take the load off city roads. Multi-level car parking in select locations is high on the agenda as well. The worsening garbage crisis has received Rs 500 crore and storm water drains, Rs 800 crore, to prevent flooding in the city. Some of Bengaluru's iconic markets like Krishnarajendra market, Johnson market and Russel market are expected to be renovated.
Happy with Bengaluru’s share, ‘urban evangelist’ V. Ravichandar says the Chief Minister has for once done justice to the city and displayed his commitment to its growth.
Yettinahole: panel for speedy project implementation
The government has decided to constitute a coordination committee for the speedy implemenentation of Yettinahole integrated drinking water project in the wake of protests in Kolar and Chikkaballapur.
The CM has earmarked Rs 14,477 crore for the Water Resources Department for the next fiscal for all irrigation projects across the state. Since 2013, the government has allocated Rs 46,931 crore to this sector as against the promised amount of Rs 50,000 crore for all projects for a period of five years. Keeping its promise, the government has allocated Rs 1,280 crore for filling tanks in Kolar district through lift irrigation after treating sewage water flowing in Koramangala-Challaghatta valley.
