Bengaluru will become Singapore... SMK

Bengaluru will become Singapore... They laughed when SMK said that…

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

High-tech facilities like flyovers and hanging bridges will be built in Bengaluru. Bengaluru will become 'Singapore'. The world will focus on our city...

When S.M. Krishna, who was the Chief Minister in 1999, made such statements, many people did not believe it at that time. However, the solid foundation of that time was the reason why Bengaluru became famous as Silicon Valley and Hi-Tech City. 

S.M. Krishna was very interested in providing infrastructure to Bengaluru. He also had a dream of making the city modern and attractive. He had set up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) under the leadership of Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani to give a framework for the development of the city and speed up the implementation of the plan.

S.M. Krishna's interest, policies and regulations are the reason why Bangalore has become a top international player in the field of information technology. In 1999-2000, the number of 13 IT companies in the city, which was exporting software worth ₹ 100 crore, reached 1032 in 2001-02, and the export value reached ₹ 7,200 crore. In 2004-05, the software value of 1514 companies was ₹ 20,700 crore. A separate policy was formulated in 2002 to provide more opportunities for the development of information technology and biotechnology. Also, for the first time in 2002, the 'Bangalore IT.com' conference was organized by national and international organizations to increase their reach. All this laid a solid foundation for the growth of the IT-BT sector.

S.M. Krishna's vision was the reason for setting up the International Technology Park (ITPL), International Institute of Information Technology – Bangalore (IIITB) in private partnership. 

S.M. Krishna was very interested in implementing technology and computerization in administration. Krishna, who had introduced 'smart cards' for the entry of employees in government offices, had encouraged everyone to use 'smart cards' to enter his office in Vidhana Soudha. Krishna's contributions to Bangalore include the 'Bhoomi' software for land records in the Revenue Department, the 'Cauvery e-com kiosk' for water board bill payments, the 'Spot Bill' immediately after reading the Cauvery water meter, the 'Bangalore One' for government facilities, the first 'Rayatha Santhe' in Yelahanka for direct sales between farmers and consumers, and the 'Krishi Pradhan Vahini' websites. Krishna is also credited with releasing the Kannada script in 2001 through the Kannada Computer Council.

In addition to giving a new look to property tax collection in the city, Krishna, who laid great emphasis on the protection and beautification of parks, had the BDA develop Benniganahalli and Agar lakes into attractive destinations. It was during Krishna's time that the 'Bangalore Nephrourology Institute', unique in the country, was started to provide cutting-edge treatment for kidney-related diseases at low prices.

BDA Revival: 

In the early days of S.M. Krishna becoming the Chief Minister, a committee of high-ranking officials led by the Chief Secretary had suggested that ‘there is no money even to pay salaries to BDA employees, it should be closed’. Taking it as a challenge, Krishna appointed Jayakar Jarom as the Commissioner of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). From there, he ensured that the files came directly to the Chief Minister for approval.

Initially, BDA constructed commercial buildings in the layouts and ensured a continuous income. Anand Rao Circle, Airport, Jayadeva Hospital, Dairy Circle, Whitefield, Benniganahalli, Central Silk Board, Hebbal flyovers were built by BDA. A 26 km ring road was constructed in 8 months at a cost of ₹182 crore. Purchase orders were issued for BDA sites after 10 years. This was cancelled and purchase orders were issued to everyone. This helped thousands of people. The sub-registrar's office was opened in the BDA premises and all the registration processes were done there. BDA, which was on the verge of closure, became financially strong within a couple of years and also received the HUDCO award and the National Best Construction Award.

Encroachment on corner plots and civic amenities plots in BDA layouts was increasing. S.M. Krishna, who did not give in to any pressure, said in the assembly itself, 'Such encroachments will not be allowed'. He repealed 38 C(2) of the BDA Act and allowed the clearance of all types of encroachments. BDA cleared 175 acres of encroachment worth ₹700 crore. Not only that, he implemented many improved rules and simplified the land acquisition process for Anjanapur, Banashankari 6th phase, and Sir M. Visvesvaraya layout.

People who laughed when they said that Bangalore would become 'Singapore', the growth of the city made them to became silent by the end of 2004.