From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 30: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has asked officials to take urgent steps to sort out in the implementation of the Hassan-Mangaluru and Kudachi-Bagalkote Rail projects.
Reviewing the functioning of the State Infrastructure Department in Bengaluru on Saturday, he directed officials to take necessary steps to obtain final clearance from the Centre for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project.
With the Union government deciding to accord top priority to the implementation of infrastructure projects in 14 key sectors including agriculture, education, energy, health, irrigation, tourism, sports and youth, industries, transport and goods movement, housing, rural development and communication on public sector-private sector participation (PPP) model, the Chief Minister said the State Government has already given approval for Rs 500 crore worth of the projects in the PPP model.
Yediyurappa asked the officials to ensure that the projects approved in the 14 sectors on PPP model were implemented at the earliest possible.
Work on the improvement of airports in the districts and Bengaluru Signature Business Park projects must be expedited, he said.
The Chief Minister was informed that land acquisition work was underway for the Shivamogga-Ranebennur railway project as also another seven new railway projects were in progress.
State Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, Infrastructure Department Principal Secretary Kapil Mohan, MLA S R Vishwanath and others were present at the meeting.
CM reviews Rain Havoc Preparedness
The Chief Minister held a review meeting to discuss the preparedness of the civic and other authorities in tackling the problems arising out of the monsoon in Bengaluru, especially in the wake of the recent heavy downpour during the last few days.
He asked the BBMP Control Room and Helpline officials to immediately respond to complaints regarding any mishaps due to rain havoc and warned that laxity in responding to complaints will be dealt with sternly.
He announced that the bereaved families of the two women who lost their lives due to the rain havoc would be paid compensation of Rs 5 lakh each.
Yediyurappa asked the officials to take steps to prune the trees and weak branches of the trees and ensure that the work was carried out regularly so that people did not suffer due to falling trees or big branches. He said all the fallen trees and branches must be cleared in two days.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for coordinated work from BBMP, Police, Forest, Transport and Fire Brigade departments. The officials were asked to ensure that vehicles were not parked beneath trees to prevent damages due to tree falls.
All the manholes of drainages must be filled immediately in the eight zones in the city by deploying jetting machines, he said.
Revenue Minister R Ashok said a special task force comprising officials of BBMP, BESCOM, BWSSB, Police and Fire Services officials and staff must be forced for deployment and swift action in all the eight zones in Bengaluru city limits.
The Assistant Commissioners of the respective zones in the city would be held for any mishaps, Ashok warned.
Urban Development Minister Byrati Basavaraj, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, BBMP Commissioner B H Anil Kumar, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Baskar Rao, Urban Development Department Principal Secretary Mahendra Jain and other officials attended the meeting.