Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was on city inspection for the fourth time on Saturday, focused on development of roads to ease bottlenecks in some crucial junctions in Peenya, Magadi Road and Dr Rajkumar Memorial Road.
At Laggere, the slum-dwellers were happy that their problems would be addressed soon with the CM’s visit. Residents of ten villages in Kempegowda Nagar hoped for basic amenities, which they lacked , would be provided to them. Deccan Chronicle shadowed the CM during his inspection of Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Yeswantpur constituencies, where he heard complaints and demands of industrialists, slum-dwellers, commuters and villagers.
11 am to 11.20 am
The CM leaves his official residence, reaches SRS Road, Peenya. An interior road in Peenya Industrial Area, SRS Road, plays a key role in easing traffic between Tumakuru Road and Laggere. But because of problems during land acquisition the project has not kicked off, though the tender has been awarded. Mr Siddaramaiah announced that two acres from KPTCL and land from four other industrial units will be acquired for road works. “If the stretch is widened, traveling distance will be reduced by least 6 km,” an official said.
11.40 am: Meeting with Peenya Industries Association
Members of the Peenya Industries Association complained to the CM that the area suffered from lack of basic infrastructure, like good roads and timely garbage removal, though the zone generated high revenues. They alleged that roads were asphalted just three days ago, in anticipation of his visit. Receiving a memorandum from the association, Mr Siddaramaiah said that the roads have not been repaired for the last 20 years in Peenya, where nearly 8.5 lakh employees work daily. “Road development will be taken up at Rs 100 crore, while some works are in progress. Works on a few roads are to begin,” he said.
12.10 pm: Sanjay Gandhi Nagar Slum
Slum dwellers of Sanjay Gandhi Nagar slum complained that the government had promised them houses under the Rajeev Gandhi Awas Yojana and had evicted them from their homes. But not all of them have been allotted houses. The CM said that the buildings in which they lived were more than 30 years old and the government was providing over 1,500 homes. “They are now living in temporary sheds. They will be relocated to ground + two floor building homes once the project is over,” he said.
12.25 pm: Kanteerava Studio underpass,Dr Rajkumar Memorial Road
One of the most important junctions on Outer Ring Road, Siddaramaiah inspected the ongoing works of Kanteerava Studio underpass. He said that the construction of the flyover and underpass was taken up at Rs 81 crore. “The flyover will open to the public in a month, while the underpass works will be completed in 6 months,” he said.
12.55 pm: Laggere slum
Hundreds of residents of Laggere slum rushed to meet the CM. They said that every time it rained, rain water and sewage entered their homes and they did not have access to clean water. “We are living in such conditions for many years,” rued Lakshmamma, a maid. Mr Siddaramaiah told the officials to increase the retaining wall of the storm water drain right in front of their homes to prevent flooding of their houses. He said that by constructing a wall, the Slum Board will get more space to construct a few more houses.
1.30 pm: Srinivasnagar, Kottigepalya ward
Following numerous complaints that Srinivasnagar was a bottleneck, he directed the officials to ease the service road by constructing an underpass. He said that a BWSSB pipeline is hindering the construction works, and orders have been given to the water board to shift the pipeline.
1.45 pm: Magadi Road
After complaints from commuters and resident welfare associations, Mr Siddaramaiah announced that Magadi Road from NICE Road towards Magadi and Kunigal will be made a four lane. “Widening the road will ease traffic movement on Nelamangala Main Road. The work has been entrusted to the Public Works Department,” he said. A link road between Magadi Road and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Road will be constructed to ease traffic in Magadi, and Rs 30 crore has been released for the work, he said.
2.15 pm: Valgerahalli
The CM visited Valgerhalli near Kengeri, where 2,500 BDA flats are being constructed. The flats will be constructed in five phases. Ten villages were left out when the BDA notified land for Kempegowda Nagar, and they were also not included when 110 villages were brought under the BBMP limits. “Residents here lack basic amenities, like good roads, drinking water and power. The BDA had not taken up the work because of lack of funds. I have now instructed the authority to provide them with the necessary infrastructure,” he said.
2.30 pm: Dubasipalya Lake
Making his last stop at Dubasipalya Lake, the chief minister said that a man had claimed ownership of the lake land and had even brought in a court injunction. “But the government records show that the land belongs to us. We will prove it in the court and take action against revenue department officials who have tampered with the documents to help this man. The lake will be developed in the future,” he said.
Projects galore for Kengeri
Apart from these visits, CM Siddaramaiah also made brief stops at Herohalli and Kengeri Lakes and Kengeri bus stand. He said an underpass would be constructed in front of Kengeri Bus Stand to ease traffic. “The Bengaluru-Mysuru highway has been declared a national highway. A proposal to widen it from four to six lanes has been approved. While widening the road, the underpass construction will also be taken up,” he said. On the dried up Kengeri Lake, he said, “The BWSSB will let treated water from Mylasandra Lake into Kengeri Lake. The BMRCL has agreed to develop it at a cost of Rs 10 crore,” he said.
What happens to earlier promises?
On his first visit, not only did the CM promise to hold weekly inspections, he also made a number of announcements which have so far remained only on paper. He had said that potholes would be filled by May, streetlights repaired before May 30 and there would be no complaints on garbage. He had said that works on Okalipuram signal-free corridor would begin in 15 days. While works in Okalipuram had begun, he said that pothole filling works were stalled due to rains. “If potholes are filled now, the repair work will not last long. The roads will be back to shoddy conditions. We will take up the works later,” he said. On the BBMP’s preparedness for monsoon, he said that tenders were floated for de-silting drains and clearing garbage.”
