Will choose the best contractors instead of those who quote least: R. Ashok
The long wait for the Kadirenahalli underpass ended when it was thrown open to the public on Monday.
Even though the work order for the Rs. 28.72-crore project underpass was issued in March 2008, it was delayed due to land acquisitions, shifting of utility lines and other reasons.
Several missed deadlines later, the 356-metre long, 16.5-metre wide underpass was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok, who asked the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to change its tender process to ensure major works like underpasses and flyovers are constructed without delays. “Now, those who quote the lowest are given the contract, where the work may be substandard and slow. Finalise a list of the best contractors in the country and float tenders only to them,” he said.
Mr. Ashok also promised that four major projects — K.R. Market underpass, C.N.R. Rao underpass and the road widening of Mysore Road and Magadi Road — would be completed in three months. With these, he hoped, 30 per cent of the city’s traffic problems would be solved.
All major roads in Bangalore will be made signal free corridors in his tenure, he said.
Inaugurating the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s new bus stand at Hosakerehalli, he said BMTC’s fleet would be increased by 2,000 buses being added to the existing7,500.
Phase II of Namma Metro would be ready by next May, and the Jayanagar-Majestic this October.
JNNURM funds
Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary Ananth Kumar lauded the State government for effectively using the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) grants.
Stating he would request the Centre for additional JNNURM funds for the BBMP, he said work would be undertaken in three areas: introducing elevated corridors to all roads to other cities from Bangalore, building an effective underground drainage system, redeveloping 300 lakes, and for solid waste management.
“For implementing all these, we need Rs. 10,000 crore. We will request the Central government to release Rs. 5,000 crore to add to what the State government will pitch in,” he said.
Keywords: Kadirenahalli underpass, BBMP project, Bangalore
