Grade Separator: For four years there is always a 'new' problem

Nayandahalli Junction -ORR Road – Hosakerehalli Kerekodi Junction Grade Separator

For four years there is always a 'new' problem

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: The work on flyovers and underpasses, which were supposed to facilitate smooth traffic, has been progressing at a slow pace for years. Neither the government nor the BBMP has taken action to speed up these works, which have further contributed to the vehicular traffic, which is a hindrance to traffic.

 Delay in bill payment is said to be the main reason behind the slow pace of work on flyovers and underpasses. Apart from this, there are many local problems which are not being solved by the authorities. Citizens are constantly torn between the engineers and the contractors blaming each other. They are asking when the work will end.

 The then and present Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had seen these works many times during their ``Nagar Pradakshina'' and had advised them to speed up the works. However, even though the years are rolling by, only the works have not reached the stage of completion.

 It has been four years since the work of grade separator started on ORR near Mysore road- Nayandahalli junction. This grade separator is designed to enable signalless traffic on OR Road and free flow towards Hoskerehalli Kodi Road and Girinagar. The work which was supposed to be completed in 15 months has not been completed by 50%.

 PJP Engineers is carrying out the work of 'Hosakerehalli Kerekodi Road Junction Grade Separator' which is being managed by Road Infrastructure Department of BBMP Rajarajeshwari Nagar Zone under the Chief Minister's New Urban Development Grant.

 Due to the grade separator work at the Hosakerehalli Kerekodi road junction, which is adjacent to the Nice Link Road, the residents of Hosakerehalli, Bangarappanagar, Mookambikenagar, Pramoda Layout, Girinagar, Ganapatinagar, Avalahalli areas have no access road to the area. A barricade has been built around the grade separator work, and there is a lot of complaints on the one-way road and one has to take a U-turn. 

Those coming from Nayandahalli junction have to take U-turn till PES University to go towards Hoskerehalli. Those coming from Girinagar side should also proceed to the left and take a U-turn. Those coming from Hoskerehalli side should take a turn at Nayandahalli junction on the lower road in the middle of the elevated road. Due to this, there is daily traffic here.

 The work of the grade separator has also reduced the surrounding business. As there is always traffic on the road, people cannot come to the shops. Manoj, a trader, said that there is no footpath and pedestrians are suffering.

 NARROW road

 Dropping and fetching children to school is becoming a lot of problem every day. To go from Girinagar to Hosahalli Kerekodi road, we have to go round and round for three years. The roads adjacent to the grade separator are very narrow and there is heavy traffic. Rammanohar, a resident of Girinagar, said that no matter how early they leave home, children reach school late.

 Waste of 20 minutes

 They have been troubling us for years that they will make the outer ring road signal free. Although four or five pillars have been standing for years, the work has not continued. It takes a lot of time to cross this junction every day. Raju, a resident of Nayandahalli expressed sadness that 20 to 30 minutes are wasted here even during peak hours.

•  ₹30 crore; Grade Separator Cost
•  ₹9.62 crore; Bill payment for work
•  2020 August 7; Mandate to Contractor
•  15 months; The deadline given to complete the work

Workorder for one, bill payment for another

 BBMP: Crore payment for work not done in solid waste management

 Workorder for one, bill payment for another

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 BENGALURU: Although new contractors have been given work orders for solid waste collection and disposal, supply orders have been given to old contractors and bills amounting to crores of rupees have been illegally paid.

 In the office of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of BBMP Solid Waste Management Vijayanagara Division, the work order was given to one and the bill was paid to the other. Irregularities of ₹2.95 crore in this regard have been revealed in the 2021-22 Annual Report of the Auditor General of BBMP.

 The tender process for solid waste management in wards 132, 133, 157 and 158 in Vijayanagara Division has been completed and the work order has been issued. AEE has issued a 'notice letter' to the old contractor saying that they have not started the work. There is a gap of two to six months between assignments and instruction dates. The new contractors were getting leases for 20% to 40% less than the old contractors. However, old contractors like Be Clean Be Healthy, V.R. Enterprises, Pradeep R. Enterprises, Santhosh Kumar Enterprises, had been paid ₹1.69 crore for disposal of waste through supply orders, allowing financial loss, the complaint said.

 Annapurneswari Associates, Shishir Associates, Vishwas Enterprises were given the work order for collection and transportation of solid waste. Apart from these original contractors, Lakshmi Enterprises, Uday Kiran Enterprises, Varshini Kiran Enterprises were paid ₹1.25 crore.

16% i.e. ₹ 1.71 crore has been paid in the AEE office of the solid waste management department of Dasarhalli zone for additional staff attendance in solid waste management. The auditors objected to this amount as records of additional staff attendance and payment of wages were not available.

 Illegal everywhere in solid waste management!

•  * 13 DC bill for supply of human resource and machinery in AEE office of Yalahanka Division. ₹25.22 lakh has been paid through DC bills and there is no record of work being done.
•  * Deficiencies were found in vehicle fuel cost and maintenance in the AEE office of Dasarahalli zone and the rules of KTPP Act were violated by not inviting tenders. ₹16.48 lakh paid through quotation.
•  * A 500 KVA high tension line was connected without properly estimating the power demand in the AEE office of Dasarhalli zone. 85% was not used. This resulted in an unnecessary expenditure of ₹11.51 lakh.
•  * Although there is an order to change the lorries to compactor vehicles for solid waste management and disposal in AEE office of Yelahanka Division, tipper lorries have been paid ₹9.85 lakh.
•  * In the AEE office of Chikkapet division, a vehicle which gives a mileage of three km per liter of fuel has traveled and the amount of fuel has been shown less in the log book. The head of the department paid the bill without raising any objection, resulting in a loss of ₹6.61 lakh.

Minister instructs not to plant CONOCARPUS saplings

Minister instructs not to plant CONOCARPUS saplings

 Bengaluru: Forest Minister Ishwara Khandre has directed not to plant of Conocarpus saplings, which spoil the rain environment and adversely affect the health of citizens, in any part of the state, including Bengaluru.

 Referring to a special report on 'Dubai plant' - a health hazard - published in Prajavani on June 5, a copy of which is attached with a note dated July 1, the minister said conocarpus saplings have been banned in some states of the country.  

There is information that it emits acid which is harmful to human health.  The Chief Principal Conservator of Forests has instructed him to conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter and if scientifically ill effects are found, action should be taken not to plant Conocarpus saplings in all parts of the state.

ALSO READ... CONOCARPUS (Dubai plant) dangerous to health

₹3 thousand crore for construction of 11 flyovers

 Prepare a plan to ease traffic congestion in the city: DCM D.K.Sivakumar to BBMP

 ₹3 thousand crore for construction of 11 flyovers

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

•  Special grant from State Govt
•  Work under joint grant
•  The plan is to start the work this year itself

 Bengaluru: 11 more flyovers are planned to be constructed to facilitate smooth traffic in the city, for which it has been decided to spend ₹3 thousand crore. 

 There is traffic congestion at many important junctions and places, traffic can be eased by constructing 28 km of flyovers or grade separators. In this regard, Deputy Chief Minister D.K.Sivakumar asked the Chief Commissioner of BBMP to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

 Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road, Old Madras Road and Hosur Road are heavily trafficked every day. Although many instructions have been given to take action to alleviate this traffic, work has not been done to the expected extent. Thus, it was decided that the construction of flyover is the permanent solution.

 As suggested by the traffic police, it was expected that the development of junctions would reduce the vehicular traffic. However, even this time in the rainy season there were many problems due to standing water on the road. Congestion at junctions was not relieved. Thus it is planned to construct a flyover or grade separator.

 The state government has already approved the construction of 9 high traffic density corridors. In addition to this, the Deputy Chief Minister favored the construction of 11 new flyovers / grade separators. After the DPR is ready, tenders have been called and the work has been started this year itself. These 11 flyovers / grade separators are planned to be constructed with joint funding from the state government and BBMP. 60% of the government will be released as a special grant and the rest will be borne by the BBMP.

It is already planned to connect the main road and the peripheral roads through the tunnel road in the city. The project, which will cost ₹450 crore per kilometer, is not yet DPR ready. Tenders have been called twice. But not final yet. Therefore, development projects in the city need to be started urgently. If the BBMP election reveals anything, there are no development plans to claim. No visible works have been done in a year. Thus, it has been decided to give immediate approval to the project of constructing 11 flyovers, sources said.

 9 Corridors: 

The previous government had agreed to develop 12 high traffic density corridors in the city. It was decided to spend ₹400 crore on these works to be carried out by the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL). Later it was cancelled, 9 high traffic density corridors of 117.2 km were approved on December 17, 2022 at a cost of ₹273 crore to be maintained by BBMP itself. All the tender process related to this has been completed and the work order has also been issued. It was also approved by the Congress government last November. 

Where is the proposal for flyover/ grade separator?

1.  Integrated flyover from Thanisandra Main Road Bellahalli to Ramakrishnahegade Nagar Junction (Bharti City Junction, Sampige Halli Junction, Tirumenahalli Junction); 9 Kilo meter; 10 single free junction; ₹950 crore
2.  Hosur Road from Sarjapur Main Road Junction to Adugodi Junction to Anepallya Junction is a flyover; 3 Kilo meter; 4 single free junction; ₹330 crore
3.  Flyover from Banashankari Vegetable Mandi to Bannerghatta Main Road (Indira Gandhi Circle, Astal Hospital, 9th Block, SBI Signal); 3 Kilo meter; 8 single free junction; ₹300 crore
4.  Elevated Corridor from Kanakapura Main Road Krishna Rao Park Junction to Banashankari Temple Junction (Yediyuru Terminals, Yediyuru Market, Maternity Hospital, JSS Signal, Hunasemara Signal); 2.9 Kilo meter; 6 single free junction; ₹290 crore
5.  Integrated flyover from Hudson Circle to Minerva Circle (Minerva Circle, Bharat Talkies, Shivaji Talkies, Town Hall, LIC, Halasuru Police Station, Hudson Circle, Cubbon Park); 2.7 Kilo meter; 8 single free junction; ₹270 crore
6.  Mysore Road flyover from Sirsi Circle to BHEL Junction; 2.4 Kilo meter; 6 single free junction; ₹250 crore
7.  Flyover from Old Madras 100ft Link Road to Suranjandas Road Sadduguntepalya Junction; 1.8 Kilo meter; 3 single free junction; ₹200 crore
8.  Ananda Rao Circle Flyover by K.R. Continue to circle; 1.5 Kilo meter; 2 single free junction; ₹165 crore
9.  Konanakunte Cross Signal, Kanakapura Road; 0.9 Kilo meter; 1; ₹100 crore
10.  Adyar Ananda Bhawan, Raghuvanahalli, Kanakapura Road; 0.8 Kilo meter; 1 single free junction; ₹90 crore
11.  Underpass from Okalipur to Majestic (Bus Stand) (via Sangolli Rayanna Circle); 0.5 Kilo meter; 1 single free junction; ₹55 crore

TOTAL; 28 Kilo meter.5; 50 single free junction; ₹3000 crore

Nice link road connection to Mysore road

 Concern over traffic at BHEL-Deepanjalinagar Junction; Junction development stalled

 Nice link road connection to Mysore road

 Bengaluru: The link road construction work of Nice Road has started at BHEL Junction of Mysore Road. BBMP and traffic police have started inspection regarding road design map and traffic control.

 Last week, the Nice organization started the work on the link road, which had been delayed for many years. The work has been started as the permission for the work has been obtained from the court. If the Nice Link Road is opened here, the vehicular traffic will increase. The traffic problem is likely to increase further. Thus, BBMP has stopped the ongoing development work at BHAL Junction for the time being.

 There is already a traffic jam at BHEL Junction from 9 am to 11 pm every day. Locals have expressed concern that the Nice Link Road will also be opened here, and if it translates into vehicle arrivals and departures, there will be excessive traffic at the junction.

 BBMP is carrying out the development work of BHEL Junction, due to which the road area has reduced a bit. Realizing that there will be a problem if Nice Road is also built, the engineers of the Corporation have requested the Chief Engineer of Road Infrastructure to take action in this regard. An instruction has been received not to operate in the middle of the junction. Thus BBMP has almost stopped the work.

 There is one-way traffic from Nayandahalli side to Mysore road via BHEL junction from flyover to Gadli Anjaneya temple. There is one-way traffic from Gaddi Anjaneya Temple to BHEL Junction. However, when going towards Dipanjali Nagar, vehicles from both sides converge at the junction, causing heavy traffic here. Also, due to the vehicular traffic near the Mysore Road Satellite Bus Stand, vehicles are stopping on both the one-way roads. After the junction development work started, the problem was even greater. Traffic police have recently been deployed to control it.

BBMP and traffic police are making a plan to control the problem which will worsen if the Nice Link road starts at BHEL junction itself. 

 No action:

Vehicular traffic continues to arise near BHEL Junction, Ghadi Anjaneya Temple, Satellite Bus Stand. The traffic police did not take any action. Deepanjalinagar, our metro station below, the road is narrow and dilapidated. Due to this, the problems have increased,' complained Jagdish, a motorist.

 Action to avoid congestion: Anucheth

 Nice link road to Mysore road has not been connected yet, work is going on. Action will be taken to avoid traffic congestion. Actions are being taken to control traffic on the Mysore road and ensure smooth traffic, said Joint Commissioner of City Traffic Department M.N.  Anucheth said.

More than ₹30 crore illegal in the name of Covid

 BBMP: ₹1.81 crore released for blank bill; ₹10 crore paid for over capacity testing

More than ₹30 crore illegal in the name of Covid

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: Irregular expenditure on covid disease control, disease detection test (RTPCR), oxygen cylinders, mosquito control drugs and crores of rupees were paid extra.

 Rate discrepancies and other deficiencies were found in the payment bills for the costs of Covid control. Paid more money than what was fixed by the government. The 2021-22 report of the Auditor General of BBMP revealed that the highest number of irregularities occurred in RTPCR itself.

 The Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, Central Sector, has paid ₹57.23 lakh in 15 DC bills over and above the government's quota for RTPCR tests. Medical staff at Covid care centers are charged more than the maximum per day. In addition, ₹8.59 crore has not been paid to the corporation by the Kidwai organization for providing human resources for RTPCR examination. ₹2.71 crore has also been given more to Molecular Solutions.

 Throat tests conducted by Eurofin and Hybrinomics at 141 primary health centers were paid ₹3.68 lakh more than what was due by the Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, Central Sector. Ambulance vehicles have been assigned by private organizations and objections have been raised regarding the number of vehicles and payment of ₹24.70 lakh, and recovery has been suggested.

 An additional ₹10.23 crore has been paid by the Chief Health Officer to the Newburgh Anand Referral Hospital for carrying out RTPCR tests at a higher capacity than the government budget. In another case, a medical diagnosis center was overcharged by ₹63.65 lakh by conducting more than 5500 tests daily in violation of the commissioner's circular.

₹3.97 crore was paid to Newburgh Anand Referee without mentioning the number of cases related to Covid-19 tests.

 ₹2.53 crore in annual maintenance after installation of gas pipe line system to BBMP Refle Hospital and Maternity Homes. There is no supporting documentation for installation of Benaka Meditech gas pipeline to 14 maternity hospitals.

 The health officer of Yalahanka division has signed the blank bill of the contractor in the mosquito control drug spraying work. ₹.181 crore was released without checking these bills by the health authorities.

 Main objections in health section

•  * In Govindarajanagara Chandralayout Division Health Officer's office, the bills of spraying medicine through petrol powered hand pump are not getting paid.
•  * In the office of the Medical Officer of Health, Mahalakshipuram, medicines and supplies were procured in violation of the Uniform Rate Fixing Order. ₹ 16.89 lakh was paid for supplying food to the infected and the officers on duty, but there were no records of completion.
•  * ₹ 4.99 lakh was charged for car rental and petrol for the days when mosquito control work was not carried out in the office of the Divisional Health Officer of Pulakeshinagar and Sarvajnanagar.
•  * In Shantinagar Division Health Officer's office, ₹47.23 lakh was paid without getting an official bill from Future Planet (OPC) which provided human resource services.
•  * Central Zone Chief Health Officer (Clinical) has paid ₹1 crore to Srinivasa Security Services, a contractor providing security services to hospitals, but there is no record of the services provided.

 Major irregularities in covid calculation

•  ₹22.57 crore; Paying more than the prescribed rate of RTPCR
•  ₹3.97 crore; Payment without mentioning covid test number
•  ₹2.53 crore; Illegal supply of oxygen cylinder
•  ₹1.81 crore; Mosquito repellent spray
•  ₹63.65 lakh; Payment for additional examination against the order of the Commissioner
•  ₹24.70 lakh; Ambulance deployment does not count

BBMP properties: ₹100 crore rent, tax due

Lease at low rates; No action from BBMP despite violation of condition

 BBMP properties: ₹100 crore rent, tax due

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: The BBMP, which has been locking private shops and institutions for non-payment of property tax, has not recovered over ₹100 crore due in the form of rent for its own properties, shops and markets.

 No action has been taken even though the institutions which have rented or leased the Corporation assets have sub-leased them beyond the terms of the lease and are carrying out commercial activities. Also, many leases have expired but have not been renewed. Yet organizations are taking advantage of them. The Deputy Revenue Officers have issued the same notice. Due to this, there is a financial loss to the corporation.

 The Chief Auditor of BBMP has clearly mentioned the due amount and financial loss to be recovered by the corporation in the consolidated audit report for the year 2021-22.

 Lands, properties and assets owned by BBMP have been leased or rented out for long periods of time and rent has not been paid for many years. Out of 3,855 properties of the corporation, 372 properties are leased/rented. Out of them only the details of 145 properties are current. Most of the properties are leased or rented at very low rates for 3 to 100 years. The report opined that assets should be confiscated to increase corporation revenue and prevent leakages.

 The immovable properties of the corporation are given on rent and lease and dues have not been recovered from 6 institutions. Garudamal has not paid the quarterly amount of ₹3.27 crore under Public Utility Building sub-section. ₹1.29 crore has not been paid by the City Central Library in Hebbal.

 Corporation has not recovered ₹1.46 crore revenue from assets acquired for our metro project. Pending in Shivajinagar, Jayanagar, J.P. Nagar, Vijayanagar, Yalachenahalli, Dasarahalli subdivision.

 BSNL, Karnataka State Finance Corporation, National Textine Corporation, Lidkar Corporation, Maharaja Cold Storages in Jayanagar commercial complex have retained rent of ₹9.42 crore.

₹22 crore due from schools, welfare halls, hospitals

 Schools and colleges under BBMP's Jayanagar and Kodigehalli sub-divisions have the highest property tax arrears. The arrears have also increased in Vidyaranyapura, Horamavu sub-divisions.

 Kalyana mandapam, party hall, hotel, PG hostel, hospital, nursing home, theaters and industrial buildings also have tax arrears of more than ₹13 crore. ₹6.77 crore tax due from malls in Gandhinagar subdivision, ₹5.79 lakh due from theaters. Tax arrears of ₹3.87 crore have not been recovered from commercial buildings in Jayanagar.

 ₹17 crore due from government buildings

 BBMP has not collected Central and State Government buildings tax and service charges as of 2016-2019. At the end of March 2022, more than ₹17 crore is outstanding.

 Vidyaranyapur sub-division of the corporation has the highest outstanding balance (₹4.01 crore) in this regard. ₹2.67 crore in Yalahanka Old Town subdivision, ₹2.04 crore in Vasantnagar subdivision, ₹1.69 crore in Hombegowdanagar subdivision and ₹1.18 crore in HBR Layout subdivision.

 Illegality in rent of markets

 A lot of irregularities in rent/lease demand, collection and arrears were found in Public Utility Market in East Zone, Krishna Rajendra Market and Jayanagar Commercial Complex Market in South Zone. ₹128.92 crore is outstanding from rent and lease from these three markets. The audit report has warned that if action is not taken to rectify the deficiencies, there is a possibility of financial loss and abandonment of the corporation's assets. Also, it has been suggested to recover ₹28 crore immediately by the end of March 2021-22.

•  ₹30.10 crore; Rent arrears from 372 properties of the corporation
•  ₹28.06 crore; PUB Market, Jayanagar Commercial Complex, Krishnaraja Market rent arrears
•  ₹17.77 crore; Property tax arrears from central and state government buildings
•  ₹13.85 crore; Due from Kalyana Mandapam, Party Hall, Hotel, PGs
•  ₹9.42 crore; Rent arrears of 6 institutions in Jayanagar
•  ₹7.98 crore; Tax arrears from telecom towers
•  ₹4.93 crore; Property tax arrears from private schools and colleges
•  ₹4.67 crore; Rent arrears from 6 immovable properties of the corporation

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ Prajavani ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ

Air quality improvement: ₹18 crore for 20 junctions

 BBMP: priority for greening; Construction of fountain at Majestic, Jayanagar

Air quality improvement: ₹18 crore for 20 junctions

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: BBMP, which has taken another step forward in the development of junctions of the city's roads, has claimed that it will develop junctions to improve air quality.

 It has proposed to spend ₹18 crore under the name of 'Development to improve air quality with greening around 20 important junctions' and invited tenders. The tender is being opened on June 21. It has been informed that the development of these junctions will be completed within 11 months of the contract.

 The development of 25 junctions in the city has already started in January 2023 but has not yet been completed. The work of these junctions, which were supposed to be a place of relaxation for the citizens, has changed the look of the derelict places. In this regard, Prajavani published a special report on May 31 under the title of 'Bill Delay: Stagnation of Junction Development'. After that, the work of 25 junctions has been speeded up a little. Meanwhile, on June 6, a tender has been called for the development of 20 junctions.

 In the name of improving air quality and greening, civil works are the lion's share of the development works of 20 junctions. The works include desilting of drains around junctions, redevelopment of drains, clearing of existing footpaths, granite cladding for barriers, canopy construction, construction of ramps, arrangement of seats, attractive lighting, installation of signs, lane marking on roads. Along with this, supplementary soil for the growth of trees at the junctions, design, planting of new plants, flowers, planting of decorative plants are identified at the end.

 No Tree Clearing: Greening at junctions including improving air quality has been given high priority. Seedlings are planted and cultivated. Flowering plants are planted. During the development of the junctions, the trees in that place have been cleared, and the design will include them," said BBMP Principal Engineer B.S. Prahlad said.

Upgrading again?

 The work of 're-upgrading' the Sangolli Rayanna junction near the city railway station and bus stand is also under the 'air quality improvement' project. This junction has already been developed enough that ornamental plants have been planted there and 'lawn' has also been laid. But now it is planned to include other areas of that junction and build a fountain.

 Even at Jnanabharati Junction on Mysore Road, the junction has been developed after the completion of our metro work. This junction has also been included in the 'Air Quality Improvement' project and more areas around it have been included.

 Earlier only the central part of the junction was developed. BBMP engineers said that the surrounding area will also be greened in this project.

 Which junction development?

•  Tagore Circle, Basavanagudi
•  Derry Circle, KMF
•  TC Palya Junction, Chikkabasavanpur
•  JD MARA JUNCTION, J.P. the city
•  Nagarabavi 12th Block Bus Stand
•  TC Palya Main Road Bridge,
•  Opposite BBMP Head Office, SP Road Junction
•  Madhavan Circle, Jayanagar
•  Mudaliar Circle (Halasur Lake)
•  Venkatachalam Circle (Halasur Lake)
•  Madras Sappers HQ Junction (Halasur Lake)
•  D. Bhaskaran Road Junction (Halasur Kere)
•  Mekhri Circle, Bellary Road
•  Jnanabharati Circle, Mysore Road
•  Nanjappa Circle, Longford Road
•  Konanakunte Cross, Kanakapura Road
•  Subramanyapura Road Junction
•  CNR Rao Underpass Junction, Malleshwara 
•  Ibluru Kere Junction, Outer Ring Road
•  Sangollirayanna Junction, City Railway Station
•