Karnataka Governor's Abbreviated Address Leaves Out Comprehensive Bengaluru Development Blueprint
In a surprising turn of events at the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot concluded his customary address after reading merely two lines, bypassing an extensive speech prepared by the Cabinet that detailed ambitious plans worth approximately Rs 1.7 lakh crore for Bengaluru's transformation. The truncated address occurred despite the prepared text outlining significant governmental efforts to address the city's notorious traffic congestion and urban development challenges.
Missed Opportunity: Elaborate Plans for Bengaluru's Infrastructure Overhaul
The omitted speech contained comprehensive details about multiple high-value projects aimed at revolutionizing Bengaluru's infrastructure. Among the highlighted initiatives was the approval for Bengaluru Metro Phase-III, a substantial 44.65 km project with an estimated cost of Rs 15,611 crore. This phase includes the country's first double-decker project combining road and metro systems, costing Rs 9,700 crore, on the corridor from Hosahalli to Kadabagere.
Additionally, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 36.59 km-long Metro Phase-IIIA project from Sarjapura to Hebbal has been approved and submitted to the Central Government, signaling progressive steps in urban mobility solutions.
Comprehensive Development Works Worth Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore
The Governor's address was supposed to elaborate on extensive development works encompassing various sectors to enhance Bengaluru's livability and functionality. The planned initiatives include:
- Metro expansion projects
- Tunnel roads and business corridors
- Whitetopping and bridge constructions
- Road surfacing and bus station developments
- Park development and water supply enhancements
- Underground drainage projects and sewage treatment plants
- Solid waste management systems
- Lake-filling projects and IT city development
- Double-decker roads and elevated corridors
- Construction of rajakaluves and other drains
- Suburban railway improvements
These multifaceted projects represent a holistic approach to urban development, addressing both immediate concerns and long-term sustainability.
Water Management and Technological Innovations
The speech also highlighted advancements in water management, noting that the quality of water supplied by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board has received certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards. Furthermore, the implementation of Artificial Intelligence technology is actively helping to prevent large-scale water leakage, showcasing technological integration in public utilities.
An ambitious project to expand water treatment from KC Valley and HN Valley, along with filling lakes, has been undertaken. The first phase involves processes for filling water into 70 lakes across Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, and Tumakuru districts at a cost of Rs 1,081 crore.
Recognition and Additional Initiatives
Bengaluru's achievements were also noted in the prepared address, including its recognition as the safest city for women in the country according to a report by a Chennai-based consultancy. The state has created an innovative model by treating and reusing wastewater to fill lakes in Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Urban, and Bengaluru Rural districts, earning appreciation from United Nations leadership.
In collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, an agreement has been made to establish a 1,000-bed multi-organ transplant charitable hospital on 10 acres of land near the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bengaluru, further enhancing the city's healthcare infrastructure.
Despite these detailed plans and achievements, Governor Gehlot's brief address left these significant developments unmentioned, raising questions about the presentation of the state's comprehensive urban development strategy.
