BENGALURU: Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will outsource its work of laying and developing city roads worth Rs 1,000 crore to the Public Works Department (PWD), said District-in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
Reddy said the government has approved the release of Rs 3,500 crore to the BBMP under various grants to asphalt and develop city roads, construct flyovers and underpasses for better traffic flow. Of these, works worth Rs 1,000 crore will be taken by PWD. However, PWD will only asphalt and develop roads, but will not construct flyovers and underpasses, Reddy told Express.
He said other works including three elevated steel bridges (Shivananda Circle, Ejipura and JC Road), signal-free corridor at Okalipuram and other works will also be taken up. “Funds of Rs 1,500 crore will be released under Nagarottana scheme. The Chief Minister had announced another Rs 1,000 crore where works will be taken by PWD and remaining Rs 1,000 crore is for ongoing works,” he said.
Reddy held a review meeting with officials of BBMP, BESCOM, BWSSB and other civic agencies on Tuesday. Addressing reporters, he said, “BBMP will give a list of roads to be asphalted and developed to PWD, which will call for tenders. PWD has its own quality engineers who will monitor the works,” he said.
The Minister said he has directed officials to call for tenders and start work as soon as possible. “If they delay calling the tenders, work can be delayed further once the model code of conduct is enforced after the BBMP polls are announced,” he added.
He also said a sum of Rs 40 crore will be released to develop footpaths in the Central Business District.
On payment of bills, BBMP Commissioner G Kumar Naik said each division has been given 4G internet connection and officials have been instructed to upload every single document of work taken up including measurement books. “Now, our officials are verifying old works and documents. Only after that will the contractors be paid,” he added.
Pothole-free roads
“With the monsoon set to begin, potholes are surfacing on roads. I have told officials to fill potholes on major roads by Monday. I will do an inspection later. If potholes are found then, action will be taken,” said Naik.
He added that Rs 1 lakh per ward has been sanctioned to fill potholes.
All For Elections
■ BBMP shall have a dedicated team at each sub-divisions for cutting trees during monsoon
■ BBMP is constituting night squads to catch hold of people dumping garbage in the night
■ Rs 81 crore will released to garbage contractors by Tuesday evening
■ Rs 50 crore to be released for construction of new public toilets and also to repair existing old toilets
■ Rs 250 crore for development and desilting storm water drains