BENGALURU: On his fourth outing of the city rounds, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited parts of Yeshwanthpur and Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly constituencies on Saturday. Among other major decisions, the CM announced an underpass at the busy Kanteerava Studio junction and road-widening works in Peenya, at a cost of Rs 81 crore and Rs 100 crore, respectively.
“There were complaints from Peenya residents that the roads are not wide enough. The condition of the roads is poor as they have not been asphalted for the last 20-25 years. After visiting SRS Road in Peenya, it was decided to ensure that road-widening works are taken up at the earliest. The cost of the road development works amount to Rs 100 crore, which has been released,” Siddaramaiah said.
The CM added that tenders have been floated for developing a few roads in Peenya. “About two acres of land, belonging to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), is needed for widening the road. There are four to five industrial sheds on the road, which will be acquired, after owners are compensated. This will be beneficial for the around 8.5 lakh workers of Peenya,” he said.
At the FTI Circle near Kanteerava Studio, the CM said that an underpass will be constructed at a cost of `81 crore. He instructed the BDA to ensure the underpass is constructed within six months. “The flyover has been constructed and will be opened within a month,” he said.
BDA commissioner T Sham Bhat told Express that the underpass and flyover are imperative. “The junction witnesses heavy traffic during peak hours. An underpass is necessary. Issues with respect to acquisition of land will be sorted out,” he said.
Later, the CM visited the Sanjay Gandhi Nagar slum in Peenya where the authorities are in the process of building new houses for the residents. “I have directed the authorities to demolish the existing houses and build new ones under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) scheme. In all, 15,625 houses (G+2) will be built,” he said. Later, at a slum in Laggere, the CM said that retaining walls will be built so that there is more space for the construction of new houses.
Village Development
After visiting the Visvesvaraya and BDA Layouts on the fringes of the city, the CM learnt that around 10 villages lacked basic amenities like water and roads.
He said that `48 crore will be released for the development of the villages at the earliest.
Lake Encroachments
Siddaramaiah visited Herohalli, Dubasipalya and Kengeri lakes. At Herohalli and Kengeri, there were complaints that sewage water flows into these lakes. At Dubasipalya Lake, where a part of the water body was encroached upon, the CM said that criminal proceedings will be initiated against the encroachers, and the authorities, who facilitated the process.
“We will ensure that only treated water flows into the lake. At Kengeri, funds of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd will be used for its development. Around `20 crore will be released for de-silting of drains in the city,” he added.
On the promise to fix potholes on roads in the city, Siddaramaiah said the recent rains played spoilsport. “The promises I have made will be fulfilled,” he said.
The CM’s rounds wasn’t without fanfare. Hoardings, fireworks and bouquets were common sights.