Bengaluru: After repeated questions raised by citizens during public consultation on the absence of plans to avert disasters in future in Master Plan 2031, BDA Commissioner Rajkumar Khatri on Saturday said that disaster management has been included.
Addressing experts from various field at a meeting organised by Indian Institute of Architects to discuss on Master Plan 2031, Khatri said, "Natural disaster management component was not included in the master plan. It has now been included after discussion with experts." He further said the garbage generation in 2031, which was pegged at 18,000 metric tonnes per day has been revised.
"Our studies had estimated the garbage generation at 18,000 tonnes. After discussing this with officials of BBMP, we have modified this figure and have pegged it to 13,208 tonnes," Khatri explained.
During the Q and A session, civic activists Ms Kathyayini Chamaraj, Executive Trustee of CIVIC Bangalore and Leo Saldana, coordinator, Environment Support Group, questioned the very right of BDA to prepare the master plan for Bengaluru.
"As per the 74th constitutional amendment act, Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) should be entrusted with the job of preparing the 'Draft Development Plan' for Bengaluru and BDA preparing this will be unconstitutional," said Ms Kathyayini and demanded that elected representatives and citizens of the city have a greater say in preparation of master plan.
The final draft of RMP 2031 will be ready by this year and will be put for public consultation of 60 days before finalising it, BDA Additional Director, Town and Country Planning M.N. Kumar said.
