The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Panel report acceptable: BMP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Panel report acceptable: BMP

Staff Reporter

K. Jothiramalingam files affidavit in High Court on report of Captain Raja Rao Committee

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) on Wednesday said that most of the recommendations made by the Captain Raja Rao committee on the status of roads and drains in Bangalore were acceptable to it and that it will implement them in a phased manner.

In its affidavit filed before the Karnataka High Court, BMP Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam said the committee had in two bi-monthly reports submitted to the court, suggested that the BMP follow certain recommendations while repairing or laying roads and drains. The committee was constituted by the High Court on September 12, 2005. The court on January 19 asked the BMP to explain why the recommendations of the committee in its two reports should not be accepted and why the BMP should not be directed to implement them.

The BMP said it has examined the recommendations and most of the recommendations were acceptable to it. It said in one of the recommendations that the BMP should make one department responsible and accountable for the failures (on the road laying, repair and maintenance) need not be considered because the present system was adequate.

On another recommendation that the BMP initiate action against defaulters (contractors, officials and supervisors), it said this will be examined and suitable action taken against anyone, including engineers and consultants, if found guilty.

It said repair work on certain roads have been taken up on priority. Work on these roads will be of international standards. Such roads, it said, when completed, will not require to be "touched" for the next five to 10 years.

In response to several suggestions by the committee to improve drains, the BMP said a scheme has been drawn up to remove silt from shoulder and tertiary drains.

It said there is a plan to remove silt from the drains before the monsoon sets in. Shoulder drains and kerb openings on roads will be provided wherever necessary.

To prevent blockages in the drains, the BMP said periodic cleaning work will be taken up and that improvements to tertiary drains are being taken up along with resurfacing of the roads.

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