Budget 2019: BBMP gets massive push for key projects

Bengaluru has received a massive push for various development of projects in the state Budget this time, as a total of Rs 8,015 crore has been allocated under the ‘Nava Bengaluru Kriya Yojane’.

Most of the funds will be spent on the road development and pedestrian infrastructure and Rs 2,300 crore is allotted under this project for the current year.

Comprehensive development of 596 major roads, including drains and footpaths at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore, remodelling of stormwater drains at Rs 1,321 crore, construction of 25 grade-separators are among the highlights of the
project.

Interestingly, the Budget has planned to convert the hub places of Commercial Street and Brigade Road as non-motorised roads and make way for pedestrians only.

Continuing the elevated corridor project, this time a total of Rs 1,000 crore has been allotted for the construction of six elevated corridors in the city.

Additional loop

In order to reduce the traffic towards the airport and Goraguntepalya, an additional loop will be constructed on Hebbal and K R Puram flyover. A new underpass at Goraguntepalya will also be constructed at a cost of Rs 195 crore.

Parking goes smart

The budget has proposed the smart parking project yet again. Though the tender of this project was scrapped earlier this week, it is back on the cards and a total of 87 roads is set to be receiving this system which will allow 10,000 vehicles for parking.

Waste-to-energy plant

As the state government has been thinking about setting up waste to energy plants in the city, this time, the Budget has announced that a solid waste processing unit will be set up along with Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). This plant will help in generating power and processes about 400 metric tonnes of solid waste.

LED lights

The budget has also proposed to convert the sodium vapour lights to LED lights in the city. A total of 5 lakh road lights will be converted into smart LED lights.

Politics and funds

Surprisingly, according to the data accessed by DH, the constituency-wise break up of the Rs 8,015 crore grant has a certain political pattern.

While some of the JD(S) and Congress constituencies in the city have received more funds, the constituencies with BJP MLAs, have received comparatively lesser funds. For instance, Congress and JD(S) constituencies, such as BTM Layout, have received a total of Rs 387.50 crore, Jayanagar has received Rs 321.55 crore, Dasarahalli has received Rs 528.45 crore and on the other hand, BJP-led constituencies such as Basavanagudi has received Rs 118 crore, Rajajinagar has received Rs 100 crore etc.