CM promises Rs 18,872 cr for Bangalore

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has said `18,872 crore would be spent in the next three years on infrastructure development in Bangalore, which is growing into an international city.

During his Independence Day speech at the Manek Shaw Parade Grounds on Sunday, the chief minister said a blue print for implementation of various infrastructure projects has already been prepared and would be implemented on priority basis.

"Special emphasis is being given to improve infrastructure such as roads, overbridges, underbridges, etc. in the limits of BBMP," he said.

He said ` 6,000 croreworth infrastructure works were completed last year and over 15,000 works worth `4,000 crore were in different stages of implementation.

Stating that the first phase of metro work from Byappanahalli to MG Road will be completed this year end, Yeddyurappa said the government was seriously thinking of implementing a local rail (mono and circular railway) transport system in the City.

"The state government is ready to meet 50 per cent of the investment required for these projects and we are negotiating with the Indian Railways in this regard," he said.

On traffic jams and vehicle parking problems, the chief minister said Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) was spending `1,000 crore to develop 10 signalfree roads in the city.

Besides, multistoried parking lots will be constructed in the city, he said.

In order to increase the ground water table and maintain the cool environment in Bangalore, the BDA has taken up improvement of 25 lakes in the city by spending `200 crore, the CM said.

Yeddyurappa said his government has spent ` 340 corer on providing and improving infrastructure facilities in other cities and towns of the state.