₹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
• 
  
  
  

BBMP: ₹2 thousand crore illegal!

•  ₹12,142.31 crore; Objection Amount (1964-65 to 2021-22)
•  ₹2,010 crore; Objection Amount (2021–22)
•  ₹1,687 crore; Objection Amount (2020–21)
•  ₹1,169 crore; Objection Amount (2019–20)
•  ₹684.11 crore; Objection Amount (2018–19)
•  ₹355.22 crore; Objection Amount (2017–18)

 Which category is most objectionable?

•  ₹1,025 crore; General Administration
•  ₹906.84 crore; work
•  ₹68.57 crore; health
•  ₹9.05 crore; revenue

 Major complications

•  * Seamless maintenance of cash book
•  * Failure to provide complete records for audit
•  * Postponement of audit program due to inadequate reason
•  * Non-cooperative attitude from Audit Officer/ Staff
•  * Annual accounts not submitted within the prescribed period 
•  * Non-maintenance of accounts, documents, records in prescribed form

 Objection in the audit report for the year 2021-22; More than the previous line

 BBMP: ₹2 thousand crore illegal!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 BENGALURU: An audit of the Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation has found irregularities of ₹2,010 crore, of which only ₹422 crore has been recovered.

 This point was published in the audit for the year 2021-22 submitted by the Auditor General of BBMP, where 696 objections were filed. In 124 cases, recovery was done, while BBMP did not give any reply to the remaining 625 objections. The objection in 2021-22 is the highest since 1964 to 2021-22.

 The report warned that there is a possibility of loss to the corporation if action is not taken on time regarding the deficiencies and recoveries mentioned in the audit report. It is felt that along with the audit report of this line, a recommendation should be submitted to the government to take effective action on the previous line reports as well.

 Additional bill payment of ₹8 crore: The report clearly mentions the loss of ₹8.01 crore due to additional payment in general administration, works, health and education departments.

 Irregularity: ₹15.95 crore was paid in violation of rules in execution of work and purchase of materials. ₹9.98 crore was paid in general administration, ₹1.57 crore in health department, ₹4.28 lakh in works and ₹11.36 lakh in education department.

Most of the violations are in the bulk drainage and solid waste management department. Estimated list has been prepared by applying the rate list before SR rate implementation. Similarly, ₹78.97 lakh has been paid in Bommanahalli division. There are more cases in these two categories where the contract has been awarded to one firm and the bill has been paid to another contractor.  

 Two bills for the same work!

 Panduranga was paid ₹ 7.37 lakh both online and offline for the concrete box work of the water canal carried out on Magadi Road by the Chief Engineer's Office of the Major Water Drainage Division. The report stated that the chief engineer's dereliction of duty was serious.

 Bill for two: 

Repair of toilet of Deputy Controller of Finance office in Dasarahalli sub-division by contractor H.S. Girish was paid ₹99,508 on February 16, 2021. For the same work, contractor N.M. Chetan was paid the same amount on March 19.

 Double Payment: 

A total of ₹1.16 lakh has been paid twice for the removal and re-installation of drain slabs undertaken by the Road Infrastructure Executive Engineer, Bommanahalli Division.

 One charge, two bills: 

Double receipt issued for same DD in office of OFC Divisional Executive. In 31 cases, 62 receipts have been issued for an amount of ₹4.21 crore.

 Bill for work not done!

 ₹ 63.83 lakh has been paid for the removal of silt in the drain in two directions to the South Central Link Road under the jurisdiction of the Executive Engineer of Gandhinagar Division. However, as there is no detail of the old slab being removed and the new one installed, the report states that the work has been done is far from the truth.

 Fee for Indira Canteen Parcel!

 ₹11.59 lakh including GCST has been paid to an organization called Rewards by the Deputy Controller of Finance, Bommanahalli Zone, even though the parcel was not allowed in Indira Canteens. There is no provision for payment of parcel fee in tender contract agreement and mandate.

BBMP to spend ₹3,100 per plant!

•  3.4 crore in STRR scheme
•  ₹21.36 crore for plantation in zones

Expensive expenditure on plantation by BBMP; ₹24 crore cost

BBMP  to spend ₹3,100 per plant!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: BBMP plans to spend ₹3,100 for each sapling in the city's afforestation project. In another project, tenders have been invited to spend ₹1,800 per sapling.

 ₹3.4 crore will be spent on planting 10,900 saplings on both sides of the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), which will be constructed on the outskirts of the city between Dabasapete and Doddabelavangala. Each sapling will cost ₹3,100 and the contractors who planted the saplings will have to maintain them for the next five years.

 In another project, the forest department has invited tenders for planting and maintaining zone-wise trees in BBMP for three years. A total of 1,13,500 saplings will be planted in 27 works. It is decided to spend ₹21.36 crore for this. ₹1,800 per sapling is being spent on this project.

 It is said that the cost of protecting, fertilizing and watering the saplings is also included in this maintenance. However, even if the management is very high in the private sector, half of what the corporation spends is not spent. However, the BBMP, unable to save even 50% of the already planted trees, has started looting in the name of afforestation. It has been shown that lakhs of saplings have been planted by students in the name of green protection. But, in reality, half of them are languishing without maintenance.

Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RAID) has already released ₹8 crore to the BBMP Forest Department to plant saplings, as trees will be cleared from its project. However, the forest department has not planted any saplings in this regard.

 Swamy, Deputy Conservator of Forests, did not receive a call when tried to contact him for a comment on the exorbitant expenditure.