BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday defended the delay in completion of infrastructure projects. Inaugurating the grade separator at MICO Layout, near the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, he attributed the delay to the need to provide "good quality" work.

Lashing out at Opposition members who have been complaining about the delay, he said: "Time is needed for quality work. We are taking steps to provide the best quality. But these take time."

The grade separator developed by the Bangalore Development Authority was delayed by two years due to litigation with the contractor, Uttar Pradesh State Bridges Corporation. Mr. Kumaraswamy took serious note of the encroachments that had come up in several parts of the city, especially on "Raja Kaluves" and lakes. He said the encroachments were leading to flooding of areas during monsoons. Using satellite imagery, the BDA has detected encroachments in Puttenahalli, Rajarajeswari Nagar, Bhadrappa Valley area and Nayandanahalli. The BDA has cleared the encroachments along some of the valleys.

The Chief Minister said the BDA was working to prevent flooding in the areas by removing encroachments and laying wider drainage pipes. He directed it to complete the work before the next rainy season.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said his Government was committed to improving the infrastructure in the city. He said this was necessary to bring in foreign investments. Bangalore ranks second among the southern States in attracting foreign investment.

He said the Government had allocated Rs. 3,000 crore for developing roads in the in the State and Rs. 200 crore for development works in the city.

`Monitor growth'

Minister for Health R. Ashok said there was need for the BDA and Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to monitor growth of the city. He said sanction plans for buildings should be given after taking into consideration the width of the road and their traffic carrying capacity.

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