Bangalore, Karnataka's pampered capital, received the lion's share of funds in the State's 2012-13 Budget. Of the Rs. 8,797 crore earmarked for urban development, around Rs. 5,500 crore has come to the city for infrastructure development to be taken up by various agencies. These funds are expected to help the city's crumbling infrastructure.
Due to the unplanned and haphazard growth, the existing infrastructure is under tremendous pressure, which is perhaps the reason for the increased allocation this year, up from last year's Rs. 4,770 crore.
The cash-starved Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to receive Rs. 1,000 crore for various works, including Rs. 426 crore for 51.5 km of signal-free corridors, Rs. 200 crore for development of roads under Tendersure, Rs. 200 crore for eight parking complexes and Rs. 200 crore for solid waste management projects.
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According to sources in BBMP, roads that will signal-free corridors include Dr. Rajkumar Road (Government Soap Factory to Okalipuram), Hosur-Lashkar Road (Vellara Junction to Central Silk Board), HAL Airport Road (Vellara Junction to Kundalahalli) and Outer Ring Road (Mysore Road to Central Silk Board).
Under Tendersure, existing roads will be developed with better planning and provision for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Around 18 roads have been identified for maintenance, while 27 roads will be developed. The roads that will be developed include Nrupatunga Road, Raj Bhavan Road, Brigade Road, Church Street and Cunningham Road.
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A sum of Rs. 50 lakh has been kept aside for the all-round development of dhobi ghats of the Karnataka Rajya Madivala Sangha, Bangalore.
Airport expansion
Among the projects that have been allocated funds are the 16 methane generation projects that will be taken up on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The expansion of Terminal 1 of the Bengaluru International Airport is to be taken up on PPP basis at a cost of Rs. 1,479 crore. This expansion is to be completed by the end of this year. With this, BIA will be able to handle 17.5 million passengers per annum compared to the existing capacity of 11 million.
Lakes rejuvenation
The government has earmarked Rs. 50 crore to conserve lakes and water bodies in the city. This has to be complemented by an equal amount by both BBMP and Bangalore Development Authority.
This means that there will be a total fund of Rs. 150 crore that is to be utilised for the protection, restoration and rejuvenation of lakes in the city.
Big chunk for BWSSB
The Budget earmarked Rs. 1,000 crore for the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). It says the Cauvery Drinking Water Supply Scheme (Stage IV, Phase II), which is likely to be completed by September 2012, will bring an additional 500 mld water to the city.
The BWSSB will take up projects to reduce unaccounted water, underground drainage systems and treatment plants.