High Density Corridor: New name for old work...

High Density corridor: BBMP redo work on white topping roads which are under maintenance; Improvement of drains, footpaths

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: BBMP has proposed to spend ₹237 crore on roads which were developed under the White Topping, Tender Sure scheme. Drains, footpaths and asphalt in the name of 'High Density Corridor' on the roads where namma metro work is also going on.

The High Density Corridor tender has been approved in haste before the assembly elections. The main objective of the project is said to be – 'Improvement of drain, footpaths and asphalting'. However, there is a description of doing this work on the roads that are already developed, under maintenance, where our metro work is going on. There are also plans for flyovers and underpasses on these roads.

The state government had approved the development of 12 roads under the name of 'High Density Corridor' to ease traffic congestion and facilitate smooth traffic. However, while calling for tenders, three roads were dropped and 9 roads were finalised. Although ₹226 crore was the estimated amount, a higher amount was approved.

White topping has been done from K.R.Pura to Gorguntepalya ORR, In Mysore Road from Azadnagar to Ghadi Anjaneya Temple, In Hosur Road from Silk Board to Vellar Junction, Forum Mall Adugodi. Wherever white topping is done, one cross duct is laid on every 30 meters. Now the same work has been shown in the 'High Density Corridor' project. It is stated in the work description that the footpath flooring and drain sidewalls will be removed and rebuilt.

Most of the roads in these corridors are under construction to improve drainage and footpaths. These roads have been developed in many projects including white topping, in which drainage and footpaths have also been developed. They are in maintenance period. The same thing is being removed and the same thing is being done again. Work done in the past can be done by contractors who have maintenance responsibilities. But spending unnecessarily, BBMP engineers said.

BBMP Engineer in Chief Prahlad, who also holds the post of Chief Engineer of the Road Infrastructure Department, who is in charge of the High Density Corridor work, did not comment on this.

Work order in 27 days!

BBMP and the state government have completed the entire process from the tender announcement to the work order for the high density corridor within 27 days. Tenders were invited in three packages on March 1 and technical and financial evaluation was completed on March 20. BBMP also held negotiations with the bidders for the additional amount and submitted it to the state government for approval. On March 23, the government also approved the tender for additional amount. Later, BBMP also issued a mandate. There is a condition that the work should be completed in 11 months. But the work has not started yet.

 Delay for Ejipura flyover

Even though the tender has been called for the fourth time in three years, the work of the Ejipura flyover has stopped halfway, but the BBMP engineers have not sent it for the approval of the government. Transport Minister Ramalingareddy, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has given instructions to the Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath but to no avail. Engineer in Chief Prahlad says that the tender for Ejipura is still under scrutiny. However, they have completed all the processes in a hurry only for the High Density Corridor.

 Is it enough to name it?

High density corridors are imported from foreign countries. What it will be like, what kind of system should be, how should the road be, all should be understood and adopted comprehensively. This system enables uninterrupted traffic on roads with high traffic. However, it is unnecessary and meaningless to give the pretext of development in the name of 'high density' without providing infrastructure including one signal for 2 km, side by side parking. Digging drains, removing footpath stone and laying new stone again will do nothing. You can make a bill. Traffic expert Srihari opined that maintenance of roads is more important than new work.

Proposal in 2016!

In 2016, the government had announced the construction of 12 high density corridors in the city. KRIDL was planned to hand over the work costing more than a thousand crores. This was a plan for seamless traffic, state-of-the-art systems including cameras on the roads. However, the High Density Corridor project, which has been approved in haste, has been earmarked for Drains, footpath re-improvement and asphalting.

₹226 crore: Expenditure fixed by Govt

₹237 crore: Amount leased

11 months: Period for completion of work

 Package 1; ₹77.55 crore

•  Bellary Road to Chalukya Circle to Hebbal
•  From Outer Ring Road via Gorguntepalya Junction to K.R. Pura

 Package 2; ₹76.69 crore

• Old Madras Road Corridor – Trinity Circle, Halasuru Kere, OMR Benniganahalli, K.R. Pura, via NH-648 to Hoody, ITPL, K.R. From the railway station via Medihalli.
• Old Vimana Road Corridor – ASC Center to Kadugodi via Dommalur, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli, Varthur

 Package 3; ₹83.64 crore

• Hosur Road Corridor – Vellar Junction via Central Silk Board to Adugodi, Forum Mall – Madiwala
• Kanakapura Road Corridor – K.R. Road from Banashankari-Sarakki to Nice Road.
• Mysore Road Corridor – From Hudson Circle to Townhon, Nayandahalli, Gnanabharathi, Kengeri to Nice Road.
• Magadi Road Corridor – From Old Binnimill to Tollgate Junction, Jaimuni Rao Circle, Housing Board, Kamakshipalya, Srigandhakaval, Sunkadakatte, Anjananagar to Nice Road.
• Tumkur Road Corridor – Sangollirayanna Circle to Okalipuram, Dr.Rajkumar Road, Soap Factor Junction to Yesavantharapur, Gorguntepalya Junction

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಹೈ ಡೆನ್ಸಿಟಿ ಕಾರಿಡಾರ್‌: ಹಳೆ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಗೆ ಹೊಸ ಹೆಸರು... ಚರಂಡಿ, ಫುಟ್‌ಪಾತ್‌ಗಳ ಮರು ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ

'Public Plaza' under Sivananda Flyover

The first project in the city; A hi-tech destination for all age groups

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: A 'public plaza' will be constructed at the bottom of the city's Sivananda Steel flyover. It will also be an attractive place to provide high-tech facilities to the citizens in the middle of the road.

While the beautification works of the junctions are going on in the city, BBMP has decided to provide many facilities for the citizens under the flyover.

There is more space in the lower areas of flyovers, especially in the beginning and end areas, and a project has been started to enable it to be used by citizens. First of all, beautification work has started on the lower part of the flyover near Sivananda circle, and in the coming days, it is planned to make the facilities available at the lower part of most of the flyovers in the city. Access is free at the beginning and end, and grills are installed for safety in the rest of the area.

Facilities are being provided along with development and beautification of important public area and historic road, Tender Sure Road, White Topping Road. Under the State Government's Amrita Nagarothana Yojana, works are being carried out at a cost of ₹ 10.45 crore at four junctions, including the flyover, by the Planning Department of the BBMP.

Development and beautification work has been started at the flyover- Junction of Sivananda Circle with the aim of making the lower part of the flyover a good place with civic facilities. It is expected to become a favorite destination for pedestrians and the work will be completed in a few months," said Vinayak Suguru, Chief Engineer, Planning Department, BBMP.

 Trilite (Race Course) Junction, Anandrao Circle, BHEL Circle, Mysore Road junctions will also be developed in different ways, he said.

Kengal Hanumantaiah statue in BHEL circle

 A statue of former Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthiah is planned to be installed at BHEL Circle on Mysore Road. A statue of Kengal Hanumanthaiah, the builder of Vidhana Soudha, who represented the Bangalore Lok Sabha constituency three times, will be installed in this area and an information board is also proposed to be installed. Vijayanagar assembly constituency MLA M. Krishnappa has written a letter to the government, seeking permission to install the statue. Besides, replicas of Channapatna dolls will also be installed at this junction along with many other facilities. Krishnappa said that the work will be started in a few days.

 What are the facilities in Public Plaza?

•  Kiosk, Bench, rest area, drinking water, mobile charging station, reading space.
•  Vehicular traffic island without fence at junctions
•  Children's play area, planting ornamental plants and nurturing
•  Separate hi-tech toilet for sexual minorities including men and women
•  Attractiveness of floor lamps, street lamps, decorative lamps
•  Autorickshaw pickup zone, zebra crossing, pedestrian signal, ramp.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ..

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಶಿವಾನಂದ ಮೇಲ್ಸೇತುವೆ ಕೆಳಗೆ ‘ಪಬ್ಲಿಕ್‌ ಪ್ಲಾಜಾ’

BBMP Election for 243 wards only

 The Congress Committee will submit its report in a couple of days

• Let's worry about the election first, then division or bifercation
• Publish reservation to wards immediately
• Advice to take advantage of the pro-Congress wave

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: Elections should be held in 243 wards only without re delimitation of BBMP wards. The 'BBMP Election Preparatory Committee' formed by KPCC is of the opinion that the reservation should be announced and the election process should be completed by the end of this year.

 'BJP's malice and political gain is seen in BBMP ward re-distribution. Therefore, it was discussed in the committee that instead of new wards, elections should be held for 198 wards as before. However, since the notification of 243 wards has been issued, the members expressed the opinion that it is not right to change it, sources said.

 Even if there is a discussion in the committee about dividing the BBMP into two or three parts, it is not possible at the moment. Let's hold an election, then we can divide it if needed. It is said that the members suggested that since there is a wave in favor of the Congress, they can hold elections immediately and get power.

After the unprecedented victory in the Assembly elections, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar formed a 10-member 'BBMP Election Preparatory Committee' on May 24 under the chairmanship of Minister Ramalingareddy. He was instructed to report within 15 days.

Ramalingareddy said that he would submit the report to the KPCC president in a couple of days. Elections should be held for 243 wards. As their reservation has been canceled by the court, a fresh reservation should be announced. He said that the opinion expressed in the committee is that it is advisable to hold elections as soon as possible. QQ

 The government is ready for the BBMP elections. The necessary reservation should be issued and submitted to the Supreme Court. It has been advised that the election process should be started immediately,' he said.

Ministers Dinesh Gundurao, Krishnabairegowda, Bairati Suresh, MP D.K. Suresh, MLA N.A. Harris, Priyakrishna, A.S. Ponnanna, former MLC Ramesh Babu, former mayor Padmavati are members. Former Mayor P.R. Ramesh is the moderator of the Congress committee.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ: 243 ವಾರ್ಡ್‌ಗಳಿಗೇ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು– ಕೆಪಿಸಿಸಿ ರಚಿಸಿದ್ದ ಸಮಿತಿ

Road in Hoskerehalli lake: Engineers Megha, Shilpa suspended

Road in Hoskerehalli lake: Engineers Megha, Shilpa suspended

Bengaluru: In the case of construction of a road in the middle of Hoskerehalli Lake, Executive Engineer HS Megha of BBMP Solid Waste Management Department and Assistant Engineer Shilpa of Lake Department have been suspended.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had asked for information about the road construction in Hoskerehalli lake. Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath did not give correct information. DKS warned that the engineers responsible for constructing the road in the middle of the lake should be suspended by evening of Monday.

Road in middle of Hosakerehalli lake

According to the instructions of the Chief Commissioner, Ravindra, the Special Commissioner of the Projects Department, who conducted a site inspection in the Hoskerehalli Lake area on March 23, instructed the Chief Engineers of the Solid Waste Management Department and the Lake Department to provide information.

A 200 meter ramp has been built in the middle of the lake, which is more than the requirement for machinery to move. This causes damage to the environment. This has also been reported in the media. While doing this unnecessary work of the contractor, the Executive Engineer H.S. Megha and Assistant Engineer Shilpa failed to stop it, Chief Engineer of Solid Waste Management Department has reported. Therefore, the Special Commissioner of Projects has submitted a report to the Chief Commissioner on June 5 to take disciplinary action against two engineers.

It was found that Megha and Shilpa had shown irresponsible misbehavior in the construction of a bund in the middle of Hoskerehalli lake. Also, construction of a bund is illegal, even though it is not within the scope of work being carried out by the Solid Waste Management Department. The Chief Commissioner has reported that, both has committed dereliction of duty by not obtaining the no-objection letter from the Lake Conservation and Development Authority to carry out work in the lake yard.

According to this report, Urban Development Department has issued an order on Monday night suspending Megha and Shilpa who are on deputation in BBMP from Public Works Department.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

Census of trees not done in the 'Green City'

 Despite the millions of saplings planted in the Bengaluru every year, the temperature does not decrease

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: Another Environment Day is being celebrated in 'Green City' Bengaluru. Hundreds of organisations including government departments are planting lakhs of saplings. However, even after the High Court notice, the census of trees and plants in the city has not yet started.

 Take a census of the trees in the capital Bengaluru, known as the city of gardens, the green city, and make it public- In 2019, the High Court directed the BBMP, to start the enumeration process in three months, but so far only poilet work has been done. The report has been prepared in Eight volumes and the BBMP currently has information on 46,593 trees.

BBMP in collaboration with the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST) has conducted a tree census at a cost of around ₹4 crore. However, it is not comprehensive. Even though the forest officials of BBMP are saying that they will carry out census work in many ways including new technology and app, nothing has been implemented for four years. In the census, there will be all the information about the species of trees, their use and their impact on the environment. Dattatreya T. Devare of Bangalore Environment Trust, who requested the High Court to order the census of trees, informed that this will facilitate the cultivation of saplings in nurseries.

Trees are being axed for development works. There is a law that saplings should be planted and nurtured instead. However, there are no examples of trees being cut down and saplings planted around them when massive works like our metro are done. Showing the record of plantation in outskirts of city or forest area. This is of no use. If a tree is cut for any work, saplings should be planted around it, on the side of the road and nurtured and turned into trees,' he said.

 20 lakh?: 

'Millions of saplings are planted in Bengaluru every year. Especially on the occasion of Environment Day, thousands of organisations including government departments, BBMP, BDA, BWSSB, BMRCL also plant saplings. However, the number of trees under BBMP is not more than 20 lakh. Therefore, the temperature of the city continues to rise," said IISc Prof. Ramachandra expressed concern.

 How much is left?: 

On the occasion of 'Environment Day' campaign in the name of ``Koti Vriksha'' and ``Laksha Sasi'', they get publicity that they have planted saplings. However, no one can see how many of those saplings are left next year. There are a lot of people who have propagated by planting saplings in the last five or six years. Although 50% of the saplings remain, the city should have at least 50 lakh trees by this time. In reality it is not. Environmental activist Ramprasad opined that it is not only about planting a sapling, but also about nurturing it and turning it into a tree.

Decision soon for Census: DCF

 The census of plants and trees under BBMP has been carried out in a 'pilot project'. However, the enumeration process has not been done completely. Sarina Sikkaligar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP Forest Division, said that talks have been held with many organisations including GKVK, and after getting permission from the government, the work of enumeration of plants and trees will be carried out.

'Appeal again to the High Court'

 Although the High Court has given an order in 2019, the tree census has not started till now. As per the Tree Preservation Act, census has to be done. However, BBMP officials are not paying attention to this. We have inquired many times. Some reasons are given. Even today the exact plan implementation process has not started. Therefore, we will appeal to the High Court again," said Dattatreya T. Devare of Bengaluru Environment Trust.

 2 trees per house as per Act

 According to the rules of the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, there should be two trees per 222 sq m (2,389 sq ft) residential plot in urban areas. 892 square meters (9,600 square feet) of building-sites should have three, then four trees in area. Industrial and Institutional premises should have 25 trees per hectare.

 "Each person should have eight trees for the environment to be balanced. However, in Bengaluru with a population of 1.30 crore, there is one tree for every seven people. In Chandigarh and Gandhinagar there are four plants per person, in Nashik there are two plants per person,” said Indian Institute of Science Prof. T.V. Ramachandra said.

Details of census conducted by BBMP

 Report; number of trees

 1; 1991

 2; 5454

 3; 3333

 4; 6032

 5; 4176

 6; 8988

 7; 8007

 8; 8612

 ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ... 

Ejipura flyover: Delay again by BBMP

Fourth time tender; Delay in send to Government for approval

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The BBMP, which has been called for the fourth time for the pending work of the Ejipura flyover, has not submitted the tender to the government for approval despite being told four times by the transport minister.

 Tenders were invited for the fourth time on March 1 for the pending work of Ejipura flyover. Technical bids were opened on 17th and negotiations were held with the sole bidder. It has been retained as unfinished. However, on the same occasion, the High Density Corridor tender, which was called on March 17 and costing ₹270 crore, was approved on March 23 and the work orders was also given.

 In 2017, the work of the Ejipura flyover started and the case was taken up in the High Court due to the delay of the contractor. The lease was canceled on March 9, 2022. The High Court warned the BBMP that it should call for tenders again in three months and start the work. Even so, BBMP has not yet completed the tender process of BBMP.

The government had instructed to cancel the tender process as the bid was higher than the stipulated amount. Then a fresh tender was called. Two contractors had bid. One of them was not qualified. A request has been made to reduce the amount recorded by him. After they agree to it, it is sent to the government. From there the work will be started after getting the approval. As this is an ongoing work, the Election Code of Conduct will not stand in the way," BBMP officials had told in March. However, despite the beginning of June, the file has not been submitted to the government.

 The local people are in distress as the pending work of Ejipura flyover is not completed. We also protested with MLA Ramalingareddy. Now he is a minister. Rajendra Babu, president of Koramangala ST Bed Residents' Welfare Association, demanded that the work be completed soon.

 Scrutiny: 

'Tender scrutiny is going of the pending work of Ejipura flyover is going on' said BBMP Engineer in Chief Prahlad.

Told to Chief Commissioner but no action: Ramalingareddy

 The tender for the pending work of Ejipura flyover has been called for the fourth time and all the technical processes have been completed. I told Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath and Engineer in Chief Prahlad four times to send it to the government for final approval. They are still counting time," said Transport Minister Ramalingareddy.

 The BJP government did not continue the pending work of the Ejipur flyover because of its hatred towards us. We have promised to continue this work as soon as our government comes and finish it in 12 months. But, BBMP officials are not responding to this. Action will be taken against them. He said that the tender will be approved and the work will be started immediately.

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಈಜಿಪುರ ಮೇಲ್ಸೇತುವೆ: ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿಯಿಂದ ಮತ್ತೆ ವಿಳಂಬ

Finally decision to clear the Chikkabanavara lake pollution

Due to the stench of Chikkabanavara lake, residents are suffering; dirty water is coming out

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The municipality has started work to free the locals from the foul smell of Chikkabanavara Lake, which has been a site of sewage for many years in an area of more than a hundred acres. It has decided to provide a temporary solution by disposing of dirty water.

 Due to the stench coming out of the Chikkabanavara lake, which is full of all kinds of pollution including dirt, waste, and sewage water, the people of the surrounding layouts and villages are finding it difficult to breathe. Although the citizens have been demanding to resolve this for five or six years, the lake has not been cleaned.

 Bangalore Development Authority was entrusted to develop the Chikkabanavara Lake which is under the Minor Irrigation Department. BDA has not done any work except putting up a board and some fence related to the lake. Since the lake is big, did not intend to spend much.

 The people of Chikkabanavara, Dasappanapallya, Ganigarahalli, Someshettihalli, Keregudda village including dozens of newly constructed barangays are smelling bad from the lake and the mosquito and vermin infestation is very high.

Chikkabanavara lake is a very smelly dirty place with sewage and garbage. We have requested many times to clean it. However, the municipal councilors and people's representatives have not paid attention to this. Our life is miserable here," said Ramanna of Kereguddahalli.

 Sewage water is flowing from many areas around the lake, including the revenue layouts. It is difficult to find its source, and measures are being taken to remove the waste water and prevent it from flowing again. Sewerage work is being done by BWSSB, and the route is being changed so that it does not reach the lake,' said Dasarahalli assembly constituency MLA S. Muniraju said.

 As there is a lot of problem for the locals, the work is being started immediately. The work will be started soon by the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation (KRIDL).

Request for CSR grant

 Chikkabanavara Lake is more than hundred acres in area and needs several crores for comprehensive development. For five or six years, the people here have been suffering from stench and mosquito plague. So, first we are discharging the dirty water. Later, MP Sadananda Gowda and MLA's Development Fund will provide ₹50 lakh each to carry out the work. Besides, thought to get money from a couple of organizations under the CSR fund and do comprehensive development work MLA S. Muniraju said.

 Step by step development...

 For the comprehensive development of Chikkabanavara Lake, a lot of crores of money is required. However, there is not so much money in the municipality. We have submitted a request to the government for more funding. The lake will be developed in a phased manner depending on the availability of funds. The lake has become so polluted that the local people cannot live in the vicinity due to stench. Thus, out of the ₹ 1 crore allocated by the municipality, in the first phase we will put out the sewage water and prevent the sewage water from flowing back into the lake. Chikkabanavara Municipal Chief Officer H.A. Kumar said.

Chikkabanavara Lake area

 Survey No;Area; encroachment 

 Chikkabanavara – 3; 67A 38G; 39G

 Kereguddahalli-22; 26A 32G; 2A 6G

 Someshettihalli-73; 3A 21G; 4G

 Ganigarahalli-11; 4A 14G; 7G

 Ganigarahalli-15; 2A 30g; 9g

 Total- 105 acres 15 gunta

 Encroachment- 3 acres 25 gunta

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ...

ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಬಾಣಾವರ ಕೆರೆ ಕಲ್ಮಶ ತೆರವಿಗೆ ಕೊನೆಗೂ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ