Bengaluru: By installing 10,000 hoardings across the city, BBMP is planning to increase its revenue by crores and reduce its dependence on the government for funds, BBMP Mayor Padmavathi has said.
Speaking at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Bangalore Reporters’ Guild on Friday, Ms Padmavathi admitted that there is a hoarding mafia operating in the city. She said, “There are over 5,000 illegal hoardings in the city. We have served notice to the owners of these illegal hoardings.”
Pointing out that illegal hoardings are causing BBMP to lose hundreds of crores, Padmavathi said, “The process is on to identify suitable places for installation of 10,000 hoardings. With this move we are planning to increase our revenue by hundreds of crores."
Pay and Park System ?
When questioned about ‘pay and park’ system, Padmavathi said, “We are discussing the pros and cons of introducing the ‘pay and park’ system. Based on the outcome of our discussion, we will take a decision on introducing the system.”
Masks, gloves for pourakarmikas
She added, “We have issued hand gloves, masks and shoes to all the pourakarmikas. The contractor concerned will be held responsible if the pourakarmikas are found working without gloves or a mask,” she said.
“Work to rejuvenate and desilt kalyanis (temple tanks) falling under BBMP limits will be taken up. We are also planning to make rainwater harvesting mandatory,” Padmavathi added.
She continued, “We are looking at all possible ways to increase the revenue of BBMP. Of the 19.16 lakh properties, we have only 16 lakh under the property tax net. Efforts are on to bring the remaining properties under the tax net through the Geographic Information System (GIS),” she said and added that the one-year term of Mayor was not enough to do that all needs to be done.
