The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Expert advice sought to tackle problems

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Expert advice sought to tackle problems

By Our Staff Reporter

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh (centre), at the national seminar on `Bangalore — Then and Now' organised by the Department of History of Bangalore University, in Bangalore on Friday. The university Vice-Chancellor, M.S. Thimmappa (left), a nd the Mayor, P.R. Ramesh, are seen. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE, AUG. 27. The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, has suggested that bodies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), the Karnataka Slum Development Board, and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) should work together to solve the problems of people of the city and provide better facilities.

Inaugurating the national seminar on `Bangalore — Then and Now' organised by the Department of History of Bangalore University here on Friday, Mr. Singh said a Bangalore Metropolitan Authority could be set up to co-ordinate the work among all these agencies.

Bangalore city was growing rapidly, and there was increase in population.

The economic activities were growing and more industries were coming up.

Answers have to be found to meet the growing demands and the problems associated with the growth of the city, the Chief Minister said and urged academics and experts to advise the Government on the issue.

Arkavathi layout

The Chief Minister announced that by January 15 next year, the BDA would form the Arkavathi layout and 20,000 sites would be allotted. He said that while forming layouts, importance had to be given to water supply.

In Bangalore, there was water shortage as water sources were not many.

The city got its water supply from the Cauvery, but we should keep in mind that Cauvery water is for irrigation.

Reacting to reports that the Government was not that keen on promoting information technology and biotechnology, Mr. Singh said Bangalore was on the world map because of information technology and biotechnology, and they would not be neglected.

Just because the Budget was "pro-poor" and "pro-farmer," it did not mean that the Government was neglecting other sectors, he said. The Government was committed to the development of Bangalore city, he said and added that no flyover work had been stopped.

The companies that had undertaken the work had brought to the notice of the Government the rise in steel prices.

The Government would look into the matter and come to a decision, Mr. Singh said.

Admissions imbroglio

On the admissions to professional colleges, Mr. Singh said professional courses were not only for the elite, and to help poor and meritorious students get seats in medical and engineering colleges, the Government had come out with a legislation.

The Government had come to a decision with regard to the fee structure, he said.

The Mayor, P.R. Ramesh, said efforts had to be made to address the problems of people in City Municipal Councils by provide them with better amenities and infrastructure.

G. Ramakrishna, educationist, and M.S. Thimmappa, Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University, were present.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section

Bifurcation plan put on ice again

Expert advice sought to tackle problems

60-year-old woman set on fire

Traders threaten to down shutters

Grievance redressal day

Two labourers killed

Around the City

In Bangalore Today