BANGALORE: The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 800 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for development of infrastructure in Bangalore, Union Minister of State for Planning M.V. Rajsekharan said here on Sunday.

The Minister said the amount would be used to put in place a proper drinking water and under ground drainage system, solid waste management system and other infrastructure in the city, which is growing rapidly.

Metro Rail project

Speaking at a function organised by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to lay the foundation stone for an amusement park in memory of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Shivanagar, the Minister said the Centre was ready to release Rs 6,600 crore for the Metro Rail project in Bangalore.

The Minister said the Centre had formulated the JNNURM to encourage 63 identified cities from all over the country to initiate steps to bring about improvement in the existing service levels in a financially sustainable manner.

"In order to make cities develop efficiently and equitably, it is essential to provide incentives and support urban reforms at the State and city levels. In Bangalore, a number of slums are mushrooming in different parts, including Uttarahalli. It has become inevitable for the Government to provide basic amenities to the residents of these slums," he said.

Shivanagar Corporator H. Ramakrishnaiah said the amusement park, to be developed at a cost of Rs. 35 crore, would have a 350-foot tower with a revolving restaurant from where people can get a glimpse of Bangalore.

The park will have a fence and huge gates similar to that installed around Vidhana Soudha. The tower will also have separate reading rooms for men and women. There will be a mini rail and 24 other varieties of play equipment for children, he said.

Work to start soon

"The blueprint of the park, designed by the president of International Federation of Highrise Buildings H.R. Vishwanath, is ready. Tenders have been called and work is likely to start soon. It may take two years for this `first of its kind park' to be ready," the corporator said.

Sri Shivakumar Swami of Siddaganga Math and Balagangadharnath Swami of Adichunchungiri Math laid the foundation stone for the park. Deputy Mayor M. Lakshminarayana, MLAs N.L. Narendra Babu and V. Somanna, MLC M Krishnappa and others were present.

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