Funds not a constraint for infrastructure: CM

To win the hearts of Bangaloreans and to alleviate their sufferings from poor infrastructure, the new Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy took stock of the situation and has instructed civic agencies to produce results in three months.

Addressing officials of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and other civic stake holders of the city, Kumaraswamy said, "Funds would not be a constraint in taking up infrastructure projects. The government is keen on retaining the brand name, Bangalore city has earned."

He also instructed officials of the city corporation and BDA to complete works in about three to four months and the Bangalore traffic police to put in place plans to reduce traffic congestion.

Later addressing reporters, the chief minister said he has directed officials to formulate an action plan to meet infrastructure needs of the city for the next 30 years and asked the civic agencies to complete road maintenance work in the IT hub within three months.

Kumaraswamy said a decision on merger of seven city municipal councils with the city corporation for their overall development would be taken up soon. BDA has been asked to form a residential layout to provide plots for the shelterless in the city.

He also allayed doubts over speedy execution of work on the Bangalore international airport project. "I have directed the officials to expedite the work," he said and stated that there was no need for any apprehension that it would be delayed.

Referring to reports that the project might suffer more delays as the Union civil aviation ministry had asked the Bangalore International Airport Limited to prepare a new blueprint, keeping in mind the spurt in passenger traffic, he said there is no delay, work on the runway has commenced and as per the existing schedule, the airport is expected to be operational by 2008.