- Bengaluru’s Footpath Shops to be Cleared; Vehicle Facilities for Traders to be Introduced
- Instructions Issued to Remove Illegally Laid Optical Cables
- Compensation of ₹10,000 for Flood-Affected Homeowners
- Sky Deck to be Constructed at BDA Site in Kempegowda Layout
Bengaluru, May 24: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the division process of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be completed by September 15, paving the way for the establishment of the Greater Bangalore Authority (GBA).
In a media conference held at Vidhana Soudha following a meeting on Greater Bangalore, DCM Shivakumar stated, “I will consult with three or four additional MLAs, including leaders from opposition parties. After gathering everyone’s insights, we will present a proposal to the cabinet for a final decision.”
He elaborated on the timeline, noting, “A notification was issued on May 15 to initiate the conversion of BBMP into the Greater Bengaluru Authority. We are required to establish new corporations within 120 days. I have reached out to all Bengaluru MLAs for their suggestions on the number of corporations to be formed, after which we will determine the areas for further expansion. Our goal is to finalize these corporations by September 15.”
Addressing the recent flooding issues, DCM Shivakumar mentioned, “We have engaged with MLAs from the affected regions and authorized local authorities to undertake emergency response efforts. The government will allocate the necessary budget to support these initiatives.”
He also assured that measures would be implemented to address complaints regarding water supply during the dry season, stating, “We are committed to taking appropriate action based on the seasonal needs in areas where concerns have been raised about tanker water supply.”
“We have made the decision to clear all footpath shops in Bengaluru. Currently, 27,665 street vendors have registered, and we are prepared to provide them with push vehicles. These vendors are expected to park their vehicles in designated areas while conducting their business. Notably, 3,755 traders have requested these vehicles,” he stated.
“I urge everyone not to exert pressure on the MLAs regarding this matter, as there is no legal provision to support such actions. While we may not be able to address this issue all at once, we are committed to rectifying it systematically and in stages,” he added.
“The topic of road widening has been thoroughly discussed with the MLAs. In areas where they recommend road expansion, Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) will be allocated to property owners. It is essential for the MLAs to engage in discussions with these property owners,” he explained.
“We have also addressed the construction of roads in the buffer zone adjacent to Rajakaluve. We have identified a potential 300-kilometer stretch for road development, and the MLAs have indicated their willingness to recommend a similar length. Moving forward, basement parking will not be permitted in low-lying areas,” he continued.
“Some MLAs have reported that optical fiber cables have been improperly installed within sewage and water channels. I have instructed them to remove any cables that have been laid in this manner. Additionally, it has been recommended that silt be cleared from the drains,” he noted.
“We are undertaking a significant campaign to register 2.5 million properties within the city. All properties are currently being scanned and digitized, with the digitization of 500,000 properties already completed. This initiative aims to enhance transparency in tax and property registration, and we are proud to have received the National e-Governance Award for our efforts,” he informed.
“We initially planned to construct the sky deck in Hemmigepura; however, we encountered a challenge due to the requirement that it be located at least 20 kilometers away from the airport. As a result, we have decided to proceed with the project on BDA land in Kempegowda Layout,” he stated.
In response to complaints regarding abandoned vehicles cluttering the roads, the Revenue Department has directed the traffic police to allocate 100 acres of land for the relocation of these vehicles. According to municipal regulations, any vehicle left unattended on the road for 21 days can be classified as an orphan vehicle and subsequently auctioned. Consequently, parking will no longer be permitted in areas designated as no-parking zones by the police, he added.
To enhance traffic flow, service roads will be integrated with the main roads where metro construction is currently underway. This initiative will affect approximately 40 to 50 kilometers of major thoroughfares. Local MLAs have been consulted on this matter, and there is unanimous agreement among them, he noted.
When questioned about the concerns raised by BJP leaders regarding the division of the BBMP, he remarked, “They may express their opinions publicly, but only I am privy to what they communicate to me privately.”
In response to claims from BJP leaders that constructing a tunnel road is unfeasible, he stated, “We will have clarity on this matter once the tender for the project is released.”
