BANGALORE: The expert committee constituted by the Karnataka High Court to look into the state of roads in Bangalore will recommend to the State Government to give a rebate in property tax to owners who maintain the frontage of their property.

The committee, which has convened a meeting of residents' associations on Saturday to take their views on road upgrading, will convince citizens on the importance of maintaining the frontage of their property. The committee will incorporate the suggestions made by residents in its final report to be submitted to the court by July 15, Captain Raja Rao, who heads the High Court committee, told The Hindu on Friday.

"The civic body spends a lot on constructing the longitudinal and shoulder drains so that there is no stagnation of water in front of houses. The owner's water, power, sanitary and cables lines pass through the frontage. Therefore, it is his duty to maintain the frontage and ensure that the stretch of drain in front of his house is not blocked and the road is not damaged. In return, the BMP can give the owner a rebate in property tax," Capt. Rao said.

He said the committee wanted to seek the residents' views on this and several other vital points in road upgrading and maintenance. "Though the owner enjoys the facilities, it is unfortunate that he does not bother to maintain the frontage. If every resident maintains the road and drain in front of his house, the burden on the civic body will reduce. We want to explain this to the residents," Capt. Rao said.

"We want to recommend to the Government to bring in a legislation, which will enable the BMP to give the property tax rebate. This will be an incentive to the residents," he said.

Capt. Rao stressed that residents associations should be heard and the roadworks suggested by them should be taken up on priority. "The residents should identify the roads for upgrading and not the corporators. These roads should get priority while listing and approving the annual programme of works," he said.

In its third report submitted to the court last month, the committee had pointed out that the general public and the residents associations were not provided with important information about roadworks taken up in the area. "If such information is given, it will help the residents in keeping a close watch on the work," he said.

Ground rent

The committee will also suggest that the BMP collect ground rent from citizens, who stock construction material on the roads.

"It is a known fact that drains are blocked mainly because construction material is indiscriminately dumped on the roadsides. The person, who is building a house, does not bother to either clear the road of all material after the construction is over or dispose of the debris properly. As a result, drains get blocked and overflow causing damage to the roads. This needs to be checked on a priority basis," he added.

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