Rs 500 crore for road development works in Bangalore

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike:

1. Development of arterial, sub-arterial roads to be taken up at Rs. 500 crore
2. Widening of important roads as per Master Plan 2015 at Rs. 300 crore
3. Construction of RUB/ROB in collaboration with railways at Rs. 200 crore
4. Development of 12 main roads under TenderSure at Rs. 300 crore
5. Development of backward areas under erstwhile CMCs, TMC within BBMP at Rs. 250 crore
6. Construction of grade separators at important junctions at Rs. 200 crore

Bangalore Development Authority:

1. Construction of Peripheral Ring Road at Rs. 5,800 crore with JICA assistance
2. Construction of underpass at Goreguntepalya at Rs. 125 crore under JNNURM
3. Elevated corridor from ALISDA, near Jalahalli, to BEL Circle at Rs. 191.86 crore under JNNURM
4. Elevated corridor from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal junction at Rs. 1,100 crore

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board:

1. Detailed project report to be prepared for providing water supply to 110 villages in BBMP area
2. 74 km sewer lines to be strengthened in 2014-15 with 50 per cent funding from KUIDFC
3. Existing 180 MLD waste water treatment plant to be up upgraded to 300 MLD
4. 108 waste water treatment plants of one to two MLD to be set up during 2014-15

Swastik-Peenya Metro stretch to open by month-end

Decks have been cleared for the launch of Namma Metro’s commercial operations between Swastik and Peenya through Yeshwanthpur by this month-end. 

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has received the much-awaited certificate from the Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS). BMRCL officials are now confident that the commercial operations will begin on the 11.5 kilometre stretch by the end of February. 

Last month, the corporation received the Research Design and Standards Organisation certifications. This had enabled them to ply the Metro at a speed of 80 kmph on this stretch.

While BMRCL MD P S Kharola confirmed the CRS certification and the imminent launch of commercial operations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the Assembly that steps would be taken to start the operations at the earliest.

The 11.5 km stretch between Swastik and Peenya is almost double the distance covered the existing purple line linking MG Road and Baiyappanahalli stations. The new stretch had missed two earlier deadlines, but BMRCL had assured to open the line for public by February end.

The stretch, covering Reaches 3 and 3A between Peenya and Swastik is expected to be one of the busiest routes. BMRCL has estimated that the average daily ridership would be in the order of 45,000-50,000. 

It is learnt that BMRCL will ply 20 trains on the stretch, completing the journey in 10 to 12 minutes. During the trials, the trains had completed the full distance of 11.5 km in eight minutes at the speed of 90 kmph.

Meanwhile, work on Reach 3B between Peenya village and Hesaraghatta Cross station is also underway. Ninety-nine per cent of the work pertaining to viaducts is complete. The corporation said work was in full swing on Reach 2 between Magadi Road and Mysore Road. About 75 to 85 per cent of overall works have been completed at these stations. 

The work status of the stations on Reach 4 between K R Market to Rashtriya Vidyalaya is as follows: Ninety-eight per cent completed in KR Road, 97 per cent in Lalbagh, 86 per cent in South End Circle, 88 per cent in Jayanagar, 86 per cent in R V Road station. All viaduct works and 65 per cent of the station works on Reach 4A (Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road to Puttenahalli Cross) have been completed

Bangalore infra is set to get a 9,477-cr push

Roads To Get A Shine;Beer To Get Costlier 

The Karnataka government seems to be recognizing that Bangalore,the states cash cow,needs more attention than what it has received in recent years.And the recognition could not have come sooner,considering the states growth rate has been slowing.

Chief minister Siddaramaiahs budget presented on Friday lined up projects worth Rs 9,477 crore,to be implemented through the BBMP and the BDA.Last year,this figure stood at Rs 5,540 crore.

Roads are the big beneficiary.Bangaloreans will welcome that,considering that even arterial roads are in a miserable condition.

The proposed allocation for city roads has risen by 66%,to Rs 500 crore,compared to last year.Theres another Rs 300 crore for 12 main roads to be built under the Tender Sure model that specifies a certain high quality,and an equivalent sum for widening important roads.

There is evidence of greater seriousness about building the Rs 5,800-crore Peripheral Ring Road (PRR).The PRR,which skirts the city between Hosur Road and Tumkur Road via Old Madras Road and Bellary Road,will reduce traffic entering the city.

As usual,the budget has proposed to tap alcoholic beverages to rake in more funds.Liquor bills at bars,restaurants,star hotels,clubs and lodges will now attract a 5.5% VAT,in addition to the existing 4.94% service tax.