The Smart City project, recently under the scanner for poor spending of funds, will be rolled out in the city in January. Bengaluru was among the last cities from Karnataka to be selected for the project in 2017.
In the ongoing Assembly session in Belagavi, the issue of how only 5% of the total allocation — ₹91.34 crore out of ₹1,772 crore — for the Smart Cities project has been spent in the State over the last two years was raised.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials told The Hindu that the delay in implementing the project was because the city was selected only in round three. “After Bengaluru was selected, a board had to be formed, registrations had to be done, and consultants hired. After having completed all this, the DPRs (detailed project reports) are coming in now,” said an official involved in the project.
The first project that will be implemented under the project in the city is TenderSURE roads in and around the Central Business District.
“We will be taking up the first phase of TenderSURE roads around M.G. Road and Central Street (Shivajinagar). Tenders have already been called for ₹255 crore. We are planning to upgrade roads that link with other TenderSURE roads, in order to revitalise the central business district and the heart of Bengaluru,” said an official.
The first phase is expected to be completed in around 15 months.
Next, the BBMP will take up development of Cubbon Park, K.R. Market, Russel Market and in and around the Shivajinagar bus depot.
“We have also added Benniganahalli Lake rejuvenation to this list. “We will also implement an ICT project, which may include municipal finance reforms,” the official added.
Since 2016, seven cities have been selected from the State for the project: Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi–Dharwad, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, and Bengaluru. The government, in figures placed in the House, said 21 works worth ₹21.48 crore had been completed, while 74 works worth ₹704 crore were in progress.
