BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is slated to take up a bunch of projects worth £730 million, to overhaul the whole of Bengaluru and its infrastructure. The cabinet gave its nod to projects aiming to bring new amenities in two years.
"The finance department has already agreed to release £605 million," Law Minister TB Jayachandra said. The revamp involves massive road infrastructure development, construction of underground drainages, stormwater drains and development of footpaths. The move comes as a desperate bid from the government to woo the people as its terms will end in two years. Criticism over pathetic infrastructure, poor traffic and a bad solid waste management system had been hovering at the administration's head. It was also under pressure from industry heads, including investors who took digs at the government at the Invest Karnataka Global Summit.
The current package includes Nagarothana plan, special investment plan, and assistance by finance commission and other grants from the Centre. Jayachandra said the government would set up a high-level committee to clear tenders higher than £1 million under the scheme to ensure transparency. The cabinet has also approved an old housing policy that will make "affordable homes" a reality in the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had allocated a whopping £1 billion for BBMP in his 2016-17 budget as against opposed to £477 million last year. The new policy offers incentives and concessions for builders to take up affordable housing projects for the economically weaker sections and lower income groups to ensure the Centre's dream of providing home to all by 2022.
