The Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) project may be headed in a different direction in the next stage of implementation. Having come under criticism from various quarters already for shrinking the size of roads, the project has attracted the ire of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who said that there is a need to redesign it before the next phase of implementation.
Briefing presspersons after inspecting the work on St Mark’s Road and Cunningham Road on Friday, he said that the footpath was too big in proportion to the road. He also said that the project had resulted in loss of trees on footpaths. He saw a need to increase the width of roads, which will bring relief to motorists.
Mr Siddaramaiah, whose first stop was at the State Bank of India Circle on St. Mark’s Road, walked up till Anil Kumble Circle to check the progress of the Tender SURE project. The bus carrying his entourage later passed through Cunningham Road.
ADVERTISEMENT
Blaming the previous BBMP council for the delay in the project, he said that the civic body had diverted funds meant for the project to other works. “Many of the contractors have not been paid… as a result, the progress of work is extremely slow. I have directed officials to release funds and finish the work as soon as possible,” he said.
However, the Chief Minister said that his suggestion would be incorporated for the roads where Tender SURE project has just been taken up, including Kempe Gowda Road.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
St. Mark’s Road
Cunningham Road
Vittal Mallya Hospital Road
Richmond Road
Residency Road
Kempe Gowda Road