The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council will soon take a call on road-widening proposals that can be dropped, said Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy.
Speaking to presspersons after inspecting Goripalya, Padarayanapura, Gali Anjaneya Temple, Gandhi Bazaar and Chamarajpet in Bangalore on Friday, he said that a month ago, a committee had been formed to look into the proposed widening of 216 roads across the city. The committee, comprising councillors and officials, will look into the issue by holding discussions with the legislator and local councillors, besides seeking public opinion.
“The report will be submitted soon to the Standing Committee for Major Works, after which it will be tabled in the council. The council will then discuss and take a final call on the matter,” he said.
Mysore Road delay
After inspecting Mysore Road, he directed the BBMP officials to blacklist the contractor for the delay and recommended the removal of tree stumps with hired labour. Mysore Road’s widening was to have been completed last year, but it was delayed due to problems in shifting of utilities and land acquisition. BBMP officials said that 25 properties have to still be acquired through TDR (Transferrable Development Rights).
Earlier, the Mayor visited Hosahalli Main Road in Padarayanapura. Local councillors Radhakrishna (Rayapuram ward) and Nazni Begum (Padarayanapura ward) apprised him of the need to widen the narrow, 1.5-km stretch connecting Mysore Road to Attiguppe, Vijayanahar, Hoshalli and Goripalya. “The residents are demanding compensation at prevailing market rates and are not willing to opt for TDR. We cannot give compensation. The issue will be tabled before the BBMP council,” Mr. Radhakrishna said.
Acquisition row
Land acquisition issues in R.P.C. Layout have stalled the construction of a railway under-bridge BBMP has taken up on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Railways. The Mayor advised officials to call a meeting of the residents to iron out their differences.
The bridge over the drain near the Gali Anjaneya Temple will open to traffic in a month. “Only the link to Mysore Road remains to be constructed.” The Mayor, upset over heaped up garbage at 9th C Main in R.P.C. Layout in Hampinagar ward, recommended the suspension of the engineer concerned and said a fine would also be levied on the garbage contractor.
Plastic bags
He urged traders and shopkeepers in Chamarajpet and Gandhi Bazaar to not use plastic less than 40 microns thick and cooperate with the BBMP in enforcing the ban. BBMP officials have hitherto seized 1,500 kg of plastic bags and levied fines to the tune of Rs. 24,300.
