Date:06/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/06/stories/2006050626110400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Prepare contingency plan to tackle rain-related problems'

Staff Reporter

Officials asked to present the plan by Monday

Engineering Department told to take up a comprehensive footpath restoration project

Issues related to debris clearance, road-cutting and desilting of drains discussed at review meeting

BANGALORE: The new Commissioner of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) K. Jairaj has switched to top gear on the first day itself.

After a review of the work in the Engineering Department, the commissioner directed Additional Commissioner (Finance) P.K. Srihari, Engineer-in-Chief Rame Gowda and Technical Adviser R. Jaiprasad to prepare a contingency plan to tackle rain-related problems this year.

He asked them to present the plan by Monday.

The commissioner directed the Engineering Department to take up a comprehensive footpath restoration project at the ward level.

Under this project, all obstructions and slabs would be removed for smooth pedestrian movement. This exercise would start from May 15 and would be completed by June 15, stated a press release.

Mr Jairaj also directed the officials to ensure that road upgrading work under the World Bank project, IT/BT Fast Track project as well as zonal works were expedited.

While asking the officials to create awareness and educate the public on Transferable Development Rights (TDR), he directed them to explore avenues for public-private partnerships in all sectors.

Mr. Rame Gowda has been asked to ensure that works under the second package of the `Complete Blacktop' asphalting project got started at the earliest.

All the 171 asphalting works at the ward level costing over Rs. 26.65 crore should be completed by May 30, he said.

At the review, issues related to debris clearance, road-cutting and desilting of drains were also discussed in detail, the release added.