BENGALURU: Many cities in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, have obtained a low ranking in the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2017’ survey due to the huge number of cities taken into account for the survey, said Bengaluru Development Minister K J George.
Briefing reporters after inspecting the Hennur flyover, Hennur Bande and Telecom Layout on Friday, George said, “The number of cities taken into consideration this year is 434 as against a mere 73 last year.
Even cities that have a population of one lakh have been included in the survey along with highly populated cities. Our cleanliness levels have not gone down. The goal post has been shifted,” he said.
That is the reason why Bengaluru came in at 210, Mysuru lost the top spot and came down to the fifth spot, he said.
Asked about the progress of Metro, George said that a letter requesting the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety to carry out inspection is likely to be sent on May 16. Speaking about the exact date of launch, George said, “It is a prestigious event and so the President has been invited for the inauguration. He has to give us the dates when he is available.”
The state government was trying for a May-end launch but there will be no compromise on safety and security to meet the goal, he added. George inspected the Hennur Flyover along with BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad, BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh and BDA Member Secretary P N Nayak.
Nayak said that out of 32 properties that needed to be acquired for the ramp of the flyover on one side, two more properties are yet to be acquired. “There was a problem with compensation. One owner has agreed to hand over his property on Friday and we will be holding talks with another owner on Monday.”
Singh said that the other ramp could not be constructed as an Anjaneya temple came in its path. “Space to relocate the temple has been provided by the BDA,” he added. Nayak stressed the flyover will be ready within three months.
George visited Hennur Bande and called for construction of a BBMP school, playground and swimming pool in the land acquired recently.
In his final stopover at Telecom Layout, a private layout that comes under BDA in Hennur village, he assured residents that their grievances will be looked into.