Bengaluru: Civic Body to implement ‘trust map’ scheme, says DyCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio announced the implementation of the 'Nambike Nakshe' (Trust Map) project to address the issues faced by Bengaluru residents in obtaining approval for building plans under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
During a press conference at Vidhana Soudha on Monday, Shivakumar explained that the scheme allows city residents to have their building plans approved by certified designers or engineers, who can then submit them online for final approval. The 'Trust Map' scheme is specifically designed for plots up to 50/80 square feet in area.
According to the Minister, this initiative is particularly relevant for plots developed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and housing societies, which mostly fall within the 50/80 area category. The scheme enables residents to proceed with the construction and renovation of houses without encountering major hurdles.
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Approved engineers, building designers, and auditors will provisionally sanction the building plans, and company engineers will conduct subsequent inspections.
Initially, the project was piloted in two BBMP zones, and after addressing any shortcomings, it is now being expanded across all BBMP sectors, said DK Shivakumar, emphasizing that this initiative would help prevent people from facing unnecessary delays and difficulties with the corporation.
Furthermore, he mentioned that 2,795 roadblocks have been identified within the BBMP zone, and the civic body has been instructed to ensure that all potholes are completely filled within the next 15 days. Major roads will also be repaired with an allocation of ₹660 crore, he announced.
In addition, the Deputy Chief Minister outlined plans for the construction of a 30-foot-wide road spanning 300 kilometers, in compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) rules, which prohibit construction within a 50-meter radius of the Rajakaluve. Landowners who surrender their private land for this purpose will be compensated through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), which they can then sell.
The first phase of this project will cover 100 kilometers, with an initial grant of ₹200 crore. The identified areas include Hebbal, Nagawara, Bellandur, and parts of Bengaluru South. While buses will be restricted from using these roads, school and private vehicles will be permitted.
Lastly, Shivakumar highlighted the upcoming cleanliness campaign across the city, commemorating 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi assumed office as Congress President in Karnataka. Additionally, he mentioned that one thousand schoolchildren would be taking pledge online as part of the campaign.
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BJP central leadership backs Kerala chief Surendran amid Palakkad bypoll loss
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The national leadership of the BJP on Monday threw its weight behind the Kerala state unit and its chief K Surendran despite a major vote loss in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll, asserting that the party had put up a "good fight" in the recently concluded election.
Rejecting reports that Surendran had expressed a willingness to quit taking moral responsibility for the defeat in Palakkad, considered one of its strongholds in Kerala, the BJP accused the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF of "spreading rumours."
"Nobody is resigning neither party has sought anybody's resignation. I think this will settle the matter," senior BJP leader and party's in-charge Kerala, Prakash Javadekar, said in a post on 'X'.
Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil won the Palakkad seat with a margin of over 18,000 votes, even making inroads into BJP stronghold areas, delivering a shock to the saffron party, which had been hoping to win the seat after finishing second in the past few elections.
Adding to the BJP's woes, the Left improved its performance in the seat, narrowing the gap with the party.
"BJP has given a good fight in recently concluded by-elections in Kerala and got a massive mandate in Maharashtra. We will win Palakkad and many more assembly seats in 2026. We are here to make a difference in Kerala politics. People are looking up to BJP," Javadekar said.
The senior leader claimed that more than 15,00,000 voters have become voluntarily members of the BJP, by giving missed call and full information.
"Our membership drive will continue vigorously," Javadekar said.
His statement came amidst reports that the defeat had triggered widespread dissent within the Kerala BJP against Surendran.
Surendran's critics within the party allege that he unilaterally decided to field C Krishnakumar, his preferred candidate, for the Palakkad seat.
Before the candidate's announcement, some senior leaders had publicly advocated for the firebrand party leader Sobha Surendran.
In protest against Krishnakumar's candidature, BJP's popular television face Sandeep G Varier resigned and joined the Congress just ahead of the by-poll, delivering a significant blow to the saffron camp.
In the by-poll, BJP's Krishnakumar secured 39,549 votes (28.63 per cent), while Congress candidate Mamkootathil won with 58,389 votes (42.27 per cent). CPI(M)-backed P Sarin garnered 37,293 votes (27 per cent).
Surendran sought to downplay the setback, stating it is common for the BJP to see reduced votes in Kerala by-elections.
He claimed that many votes for the BJP candidate "Metro Man" E Sreedharan during the 2021 Assembly polls were apolitical, with cross-party support. However, he admitted, "In Palakkad, there was a decrease in the number of votes. We will introspect on it."
