K'taka govt to form single authority to address traffic woes in and around Bengaluru: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Sep 8: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said his government would bring a legislation to form an authority to implement a master plan for Bengaluru to address traffic woes in and around the city.
The Chief Minister's statement comes amid the havoc in parts of Bengaluru following two days of heavy rains.
"For all the traffic related issues in and around Bengaluru, an authority will be created. Already, we have taken a decision at the government level. I have already given my approval to it. In the next session, a legislation to this effect would be passed," Bommai said.
He was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari, who was in the city to attend a two-day 'Manthan' programme under the 'Bharatmala' series here.
Bommai said the National Highways Authority of India, State Public Works Department, 'Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike' (city civic agency), Bangalore Development Authority and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority have been undertaking many works.
If the government goes as per the holistic master plan approach, many of the problems of Bengaluru will be resolved, he said.
The CM added that the authority, which would address traffic-related issues of Bengaluru and its surrounding areas, would also include the Railways and Metro Rail.
Bommai said he had requested Gadkari for a meeting to discuss issues around Bengaluru road and traffic, when he was in the city, and accordingly it was held today.
During the meeting it was discussed how to utilise a single pillar for roads, metro rail and Indian railways line since such technology can help minimise land acquisition.
It was also decided that under the 'Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti' scheme, elevated transportation can be utilised in the IT Corridor of the city.
The Chief Minister said Gadkari agreed to "fill up the connectivity gap" between the national highways passing through the State, complete the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) and build the small and 'concentric' ring roads in the city.
"We have taken some important decisions to address the traffic problems in the city. He (Gadkari) also directed the NHAI officials to resolve the problems related to Pune-Bengaluru Highway," Bommai said.
The issues related to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and its drainage system were also discussed, he explained.
The Chief Minister said there would be another round of meeting on Friday to discuss issues related to Bengaluru and Karnataka.
Regarding the bypass road between Hubballi and Dharwad in north Karnataka, Bommai said the work would start in the next two months.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
