Karnataka BJP govt has not provided any flood relief, alleges Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Oct 29: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday alleged that there was no government in the state as it has failed to provide any relief to the flood-hit people even after three months.
The Congress leader lamented that no one has got any relief other than Rs 10,000 to a few people.
"Three months have passed ever since the floods hit the state. There is no government. It is now completely dead," Siddaramaiah told reporters after inspecting flood ravaged areas of Belagavi.
"The government has not given any compensation for the loss to crop, livestock and houses. They have not arranged schools and textbooks for the students," Siddaramaiah claimed.
He wanted to know how the government would conduct the assembly session without given compensation to the flood-hit people.
They (BJP ministers and MLAs) are touring in these places only to conduct the by-elections. We are witnessing an anti-people government in the state, Siddaramaiah said.
To a question on the reported silence of minister Jagadish Shettar on flood relief, Siddaramaiah said, "Shettar is hurt that he was not even made the deputy chief minister though he was a chief minister in the past.
His pain is aggravated when Laxman Savadi is made deputy chief minister despite losing the assembly election."
He advised Shettar to set aside his grievances and work towards the welfare of people.
"If you (Shettar) have grievances, fight with the high command but at least hear the plight of people. When you have taken up a responsibility then fulfill it sincerely or else resign from your post," Siddaramaiah said.
To a question on former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy's alleged statement that Siddaramaiah's focus was on toppling the government and conduct fresh assembly polls, he said "I never topple governments. It is their forte of Deve Gowda's family to pull down the government, not mine."
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
