CM announces steps to decongest, beautify City

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 4. The shifting of the wholesale business in vegetables, fruits and flowers from Sri Krishna Rajendra (SKR) market to Banashankari, the transfer of slums in areas under the jurisdiction of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to the Karnataka Slum Clearance Board, the construction of a podium block at the SKR market with a modified design, and the inauguration of the Mekhri Circle grade separator by August 15 were some of the major announcements that the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, made after an inspection tour here on Monday.

When Mr. Krishna saw the congestion in Kalasipalyam and the City market area in the peak hours, he immediately directed the BMP and BDA officials to ensure that the wholesale business in vegetables, fruits and flowers (from SKR market), and the bamboo and iron and steel business (from the Jayachamarajendra Market) were shifted to a 12-acre plot in Banashankari and the BDA market near Whitefield, respectively.

Later, briefing reporters, the Chief Minister said the BMP Commissioner and local MLAs would interact with the traders and convince them to shift their business operations to the new locations.

Mr. Krishna also announced that all the 400 slums (160 in BMP areas and 40 in BDA areas) in Bangalore would come under the control of the Slum Clearance Board. "Let the board take up the responsibility of rebuilding all slums," he said.

"There are a lot of complaints from people about the rehabilitation programme for slum dwellers. We have shifted some slums. But, some slum dwellers don't want to move, especially the residents of Maya Bazaar slum which is situated on Army land. So, I request the Army authorities to come and discuss the issue with me. We will think of some alternative," he said.

Earlier, the slum dwellers of Maya Bazaar in Viveknagar squatted on the road and demanded that the Chief Minister visit their area and listen to their woes. Mr. Krishna responded to the demand.

Stating that work on the modern bus stand at Kalasipalyam would start soon, Mr. Krishna directed the police officers to ensure that the subway in Kalasipalyam was used by pedestrians. He asked them to put up barricades and compel people to use the subway.

A comprehensive development plan had been chalked out for the improvement of Ramananjeya Gudda in Hanumanthnagar. The area surrounding the ``gudda'' (hill) would be developed with a son et lumiere, a rock garden and a cultural centre at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. Work was expected to begin by September, Mr. Krishna said.

The statues of Sri Krishna Rajendra Wadiyar and Sir Mirza Ismail, who strived for the development of the City market area, would be installed soon, Mr. Krishna said.

The Chief Minister appreciated the opening of new bus shelters in various parts. Over 144 had been put up and 500 more would come up soon, he added.

Traffic snarls

Mr. Krishna's ``Nagara Pradakshane'' (city tour) caused several traffic snarls during the peak hours this morning.

A huge convoy of around 15 vehicles followed the bus in which Mr. Krishna travelled. In the mad rush to get close to the bus and attract the Chief Minister's attention, the vehicles of his supporters tried to overtake each other, resulting in a minor accident in Seshadripuram.

It happened when a private car got in between Mr. Krishna's pilot car and the bus in which he was travelling. The driver of the pilot car applied the brakes forcing three vehicles following the car to dash against one another. Three presspersons suffered minor injuries and two Bangalore Mahanagara Palike vehicles (in which the scribes were travelling) and an MLA's car were damaged.

Traffic jams were caused at Mekhri Circle, Seshadripuram, Hudson Circle, Mysore Road Cross, KIMCO junction, Hanumanthnagar, Basavanagudi, Gandhi Bazaar Road, the road in front of Banashankari Temple, Madivala and Koramangala.

The convoy was stopped at several places by people who wanted to garland and greet the Chief Minister. Followers of the MLAs -- Mr. Ramalinga Reddy, Mr. R.V. Devaraj and Mr. V. Somanna -- stopped Mr. Krishna and garlanded him. Huge banners welcoming the Chief Minister had been put up at several places.

During his five-hour hectic inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed work on the Mekhri Circle grade separator, the Brindavan Nagar sports complex, the Seshadripuram conservancy lanes, Bugle Rock Park, Chanamma Tank-bed area, the ring road and Ulsoor Lake.

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