BENGALURU: Speeding up of second phase of Metro works, Rs 200 crore for the rejuvenation of Bellandur Lake and plans to reduce congestion at major traffic junctions across the city were some of the major decisions by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa during his tour of the city to assess the progress of various infrastructure projects on Sunday.
“I will tour the city for 2 to 3 hours once every 15 days to know and understand the infrastructure development challenges it is facing and will take on-the-spot decisions when necessary,” he said.
He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Ashwathnarayana, Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun, members of cabinet and officials.
Starting from the Chief Minister’s official residence, he went to Bannerghatta Road, Silk Board Junction, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Junction, K.R. Puram, Hebbal, Outer Ring Road and other parts of the city.
He inspected the Metro bridge on Bannerghatta Road and Metro works at Mathenahalli and Jayadeva Junction.
“Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and providing proper infrastructure is important. Our motto is to ensure Metro services to Electronic City by 2021. Officials have been told to speed up the works. Roads and footpaths, where the Metro works are going on, should be repaired,” he said.
High traffic volume areas will be identified and repair works will be taken up. He discussed with officials ways to reduce traffic volume at the Silk Board Junction.
He inspected Metro works at K.R. Puram and issued orders to increase bus, train and Metro connectivity to areas prone to high traffic like Outer Ring Road and Old Madras Road.
At Hebbal junction, he held discussions with Rites organization officials on the construction of five additional lanes and construction of an underpass.
Orders have been issued to construct the 56-km Metro line from Silk Board via KR Puram to Hebbal and tenders will be called within two months, he said.
A meeting was organised by the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) at Helious Business Park to discuss traffic and other issues. IT companies claimed that because of traffic jams at K.R. Puram and Silk Board junctions, they were losing around Rs 30,000 crore a year.
The chief minister said, “The infrastructure needs have to be strengthened keeping in mind the city’s rapid rise in population. The second stage of Metro construction will be speeded up. An amount of Rs 200 crore has been provided for the development of Bellandur Lake. The work order will be issued soon.”
He said that the first priority will be to fix Bannerghatta, K.R. Puram and other areas. On the white topping works, he said, “The work could have been done at Rs 4 crore per km of road, but the previous government did it for Rs 11-12 crore. I will make sure this act of looting and robbery is investigated. We assure you that at Rs 4 crore, better work can be done.”
He said, “The government’s vision is to make Bengaluru one of the world class cities. We will take all steps to reach that goal. City’s development should not face any financial crisis. The cabinet will discuss issues related to infrastructure development and take immediate decisions. Corruption in the name of development can be stopped if such acts are bought to our notice, which is possible only with the help of the public.”
