Bengaluru: The state government is contemplating to divide the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into three or five divisions to ensure better administration and infrastructural development.
“It has become difficult for civic body to focus on infrastructural development with the addition of 110 villages, seven city municipal corporations, and one town municipal corporation. It will be tough for one civic body to manage infrastructural works and better administration. So, the government plans to divide the civic body into three or five divisions,’’ said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after laying the foundation stone for various developmental works at Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly segment here on Tuesday.
The chief minister appealed to the people to welcome the government’s plan to divide the BBMP in the interest of city’s development. “I am aware of the opposition from some people to this proposal but I want them to understand the reason behind this decision to divide the BBMP,’’ the chief minister said.
Clearing encroachment of SWDs
The chief minister said many low-lying areas in Bengaluru are inundated during monsoon due to garbage, silt, and debris in the storm water drains. “The BBMP will take measures to clear the encroachments of storm water drains. It will also take up white topping to avoid flooding during the monsoon,’’ he said.
He said the state government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore to take up under ground drainage (UGD) works. The work will commence after monsoon season comes to an end,’’ he said.
Stating that BJP government has not cleared contractors’ bills worth Rs 2,300 crore but Congress government has taken measures to clear the pending bills to some extent. “The BBMP will take measures to clear the remaining Rs 700 crore to the contractors. After coming to power, we gave Rs 7,300 crore to the BBMP towards developmental works,’’ he said.
Free drinking water
The chief minister said the government has waived off water charges and interest amount in slums. “The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is supplying 10,000 litres of drinking water free of cost to slum dwellers. Now, we have decided to extend this facility to the areas where scheduled caste and tribes people are residing,’’ he said.
The chief minister has said the government has been working hard to retain the image of Bengaluru as the most active city in the world.
Indira Canteens
The chief minister said 50 more Indira Canteens would be opened by October 2 and another 47 Indira Canteens would be ready by November 1. “I have directed BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad complete the pending works to ensure the canteens open on time. We have plans to open similar canteens at government hospitals including Bowring Hospital, Victoria Hospital and KC General Hospital in Bengaluru,’’ he said.
MLA’s complaint
Speaking on the occasion, Mahalakshmi Layout MLA K Gopalaiah has complained about the hurdles created by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in taking developmental works. “The BJP leaders are harassing us by applying for information through right to information (RTI). The BJP leaders did not take up developmental works when they were in power. Now, they are creating problems for us,’’ Gopalaiah said.
