The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has drawn up an action plan to asphalt 392 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads at Rs 600 crore.
The plan, planned to be implemented this financial year, includes 208 roads spread across 392 km from all eight zones. While commuting in the city has been a problem due to the poor quality of roads, some citizens are of the view that the BBMP — known for lack of accountability — must repair the roads under the supervision of ward committee members. Under the state government’s Amrut Nagarothana programme, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai promised Rs 600 crore. This is in addition to the grants provided by the BBMP under its budgets. East Zone, which falls under the city’s Central Business District, has obtained the biggest grant of Rs 95 crore. Some roads identified by the BBMP are Jogupalya Road, Dinnur main road, Surjanandas Road, Brigade Road, Cambridge Road, Haines Road, MG Road, and Pottery Road. A budget of Rs 80 crore each has been set aside for zones such as RR Nagar and Yelahanka. The remaining zones have got anywhere between Rs 70 crore and Rs 35 crore. They include Bommanahalli (Rs 70 crore), Dasarahalli (Rs 60 crore), South (Rs 50 crore), West (Rs 50 crore), KR Puram (Rs 35 crore), and Mahadevapura (Rs 50 crore). There are, however, no public records to confirm whether any of the 208 roads continue to fall under the defect liability period or maintenance contract. Around 95% of the works presented in The action plan consist of resurfacing of roads, which is mere asphalting of carriageway without repairing drains or footpaths. The action plan will undergo scrutiny at different levels before the works are sanctioned by the government. The budget size might rise or decline. The roads have been selected after consulting engineers and elected representatives, Chief Engineer of BBMP’s Road Infrastructure Division BS Prahlad said. Image Source
