The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : BMP must have a panel to monitor works

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 03, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

BMP must have a panel to monitor works

Our readers have stressed the need for the BMP to be vigilant while implementing infrastructure development projects as taxpayers' money is spent on them

Monitoring cell

It is gratifying to know that the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is spending a huge sum on infrastructure, including more flyovers and railway overbridges. Work on such projects is bound to disrupt traffic, and it is up to us to bear with it for the sake of better facilities. The BMP should have an independent monitoring cell with traffic management experts and senior engineers to ensure that the money is well spent and the results meet the specific standards.

R.T Nagar

BMP needs to be vigilant

The BMP has given priority to the most pressing needs of the taxpayer: improving traffic conditions. How well the work has begun and carried out will determine the outcome of the civic elections late this year. The BMP needs to be vigilant that huge funds to be spent on infrastructure result in work that last beyond one monsoon. The remodelling of storm water drains and removing silt from natural channels should be taken seriously.

M. Kulkarni,

Jayanagar

Long-term plans must

The BMP appears to have got its priorities right. While infrastructure deserves serious attention, the needs of corporation schools and hospitals should not be overlooked. The wellbeing of people from poor economic background cannot be ignored. Because Bangalore's infrastructure needs are bound to grow, long-term planning, based on careful forecasts, is needed. The flyovers now built should meet the needs of five or 10 years ahead.

S. Pishe,

Indiranagar

Use latest technology

While rebuilding or widening roads, care should be taken to ensure that storm water drains are built properly to avoid water logging. This means, repairing all major channels as well. There is bound to be some grumbling if work on flyover projects is prolonged; it should be possible to use the latest technology to reduce inconvenience caused to road users. On the whole, the BMP budget appears to be a well balanced one.

P. Srinivas,

Ganganagar

Identify the needs

With the BMP embarking on delimitation of wards, it should be possible to identify the needs of individual localities and do some prospective planning, anticipating the likely needs in terms of roads or flyovers. If works are carried out from such a perspective, the BMP may even be setting benchmarks for other civic bodies in the country instead of being constantly criticised for its shortcomings.

Sheila Raj,

Cox Town

Ensure quality

Roads, flyovers, railway bridges and improvement to major road junctions - a regular bonanza for the city and not just because it is an election year for the civic body, one hopes. None of the major projects should be given up just because of some protests, but the citizens should be convinced that these are for long-term gains. Since taxpayers' money is to be spent, all works should be carefully monitored to ensure quality.

R. Krishnaswamy,

Basavangudi

Form impartial body

As a global technology hub, we need world-class infrastructure. The lack of it or rather its inadequacy has made some IT majors threaten to relocate their projects elsewhere. Now that the BMP has woken up to this urgent need let us cooperate with it as new works are taken up. An impartial body should be formed to monitor major works such as flyovers.

Susheela Oommen,

Indiranagar

NEXT WEEK: The average summer temperature in the city may not have actually gone up over the past 30 years; but it certainly appears so. More air-conditioners are in use than before. Are we losing our green cover faster than it can be replaced, and is there something citizens can do about it? Readers are invited to send their responses to Point Blank, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in.

D.S. Manjunath,

R.T Nagar

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