The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials were criticised by district in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy for their “failure” to attend to basic civic problems in the city.
Chairing a review meeting here on Friday, he asked the officials to pull up their socks and ensure that the citizens are not inconvenienced due to projects that are either pending or progressing at a slow pace.
The officials received an earful from the Minister who expressed displeasure over “black spots” where garbage remained uncleared and debris dumped on the footpaths and roads.
Personal calls
“Several times, I have personally called the officials concerned and directed them to clear the garbage and debris from different parts of the city. How can the officials miss these basic things? Do you not conduct inspections regularly within your own jurisdictions?” he asked the officials.
Funds
Earlier, BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayan said that the civic body had released Rs. 10 crore to the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. to fill potholes on major roads on a priority, as the vehicle density is high on these roads.
“If there is need for more funds, the zonal commissioners may submit a requisition. Based on the numbers still pending, funds will be released,” he said.
New technology
He said that the BBMP would put to test new technology which will automatically fill and compact press the pothole after the monsoon. For this, the BBMP had set aside Rs. 17 crore.
Unfinished job
Mr. Reddy pointed out that after some projects are implemented, that particular road is not restored. Mr. Lakshminarayan urged the Minister to convene a coordination committee meeting with other civic agencies and direct them to take up road restoration compulsorily as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. When the Minister directed the officials to clear the debris, the commissioner said that as per the garbage tenders, the contractors are liable to clear the debris from roads, footpaths and drains.
He said that if the contractors failed to clear the debris, the BBMP would do it and deduct the expense from the contractors’ bills. A circular would be issued soon, he added.
Proposal
Mr. Lakshminarayan said that BBMP had sent a proposal seeking Rs. 55 crore from the government as flood relief to take up restoration of drains, roads and other emergency projects.
R.R. Nagar MLA and Yeshwantpur councillor Munirathna pointed out that advertisement agencies have been misusing advertisement byelaws.
“Though the High Court of Karnataka has issued an order, the officials are not preventing the agencies from changing the advertisements. The BBMP should file contempt cases against such agencies and end this practice,” he said.
He urged Mr. Lakshminarayan to appoint a competent official in the storm-water drains department.
