13,000 potholes filled in Bengaluru so far, says Shivakumar; plans Rs 1,100 cr road upgrade
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has said that 13,000 potholes in the city have been filled so far, and his plan was to find a "permanent solution" to Bengaluru's road issues.
He said he has instructed officials to chalk out a Rs 1,100 crore action plan to develop 550 km arterial roads in the city.
Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in-charge of Bengaluru development, on Tuesday inspected pothole repair and road works underway in various parts of the city.
According to officials, about 4,000-5,000 potholes identified will be fixed in stages.
Last week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave 30 days to officials to ensure that all the roads in the city are motorable.
"The officials are following the government's orders and are filling the potholes. In addition, I have instructed them to prepare an action plan worth Rs 1,100 crore for the development of 550 km long arterial roads," Shivakumar said.
Noting that it will take 26 days for concrete work at the junctions of arterial roads, and discussions are being held on traffic control during this period, he said, "My plan is to find a permanent solution to Bengaluru roads. The CM has promised to provide Rs 750 crore for filling the potholes."
"It has been decided to release Rs 1,100 crore for the development of ward-level roads in the constituencies of MLAs. Instructions have been given to them to use this grant only for improving the roads."
Pointing out that 13,000 potholes have been filled so far, the Deputy CM said there is a photo and video along with GPS record for each pothole, and information can be downloaded and rechecked.
"No one had given a call to the public to report potholes. We have developed an app on which the public can report potholes. We are also taking the help of the police to identify potholes. Such an initiative is only available in Karnataka. Potholes are in every city, as Bengaluru is a global city, hence the issue is being highlighted by you (media) too," he said.
Reiterating that potholes are in Delhi too, Shivakumar said he can take a delegation of BJP leaders and show them.
"It (potholes) is there in every city, I don't blame anyone... let BJP come, let's go. Let's also meet the Prime Minister and central ministers, who can give money (for Bengaluru)," he added.
The state government has drawn flak for the poor state of roads in the city.
Several prominent people, including industry veterans in Bengaluru like former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have urged the state government to immediately intervene.
The outrage against the condition of roads gained momentum after online trucking platform BlackBuck decided to move the company out of its current location at Bellandur on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road (ORR), citing commuting and road infrastructure issues.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
