Karnataka Elections 2018: BJP promises to focus on infrastructure growth in Bengaluru if voted to power

In its manifesto, the BJP has promised that if it is elected to power in Karnataka polls which are due next week, it would safeguard the rights of homebuyers by repealing the diluted RERA rules, provide for a multi-point airport Metro link and expand the road network in Bengaluru.

In its manifesto called Namma Bengalurige Namma Vachana released on Tuesday, it has promised to work towards preserving the environment. The document promises creation of a Rs 2,500 crore fund to revive the complete ecosystem and network of lakes.

It has promised to turn Bengaluru into a walking city and to install air quality monitors in every ward of the city and release a weekly/monthly air quality report to the public.

Safeguard the rights of homebuyers

It promises to repeal the diluted RERA rules and announce new strong RERA rules and create RERA Regulatory Authority and the Appellate Tribunal.

Promises enacting the Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Governance Act

The document promises a new legislation for New Bengaluru called Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Governance Act (BMRGA) to be enacted to further strengthen the spirit of 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India.

The features of this legislation will include constituting a new Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) as per the provisions of the Constitution and integrating all agencies including intermodality of all transport agencies and an annual Bengaluru City Report card.

A 15-year development plan for Bengaluru to be finalised

A Development Plan (CDP) 2033 with the focus on sustainability, livability, urban poor, Swachha Bengaluru, public transport, growth etc, the party’s manifesto says.

Digital platform to connect citizens and government

It seeks to improve citizen-government communication for which it has promised a new digital platform www.bengaluru.gov will be launched.

It also promises to bring back citizen control over neighbourhoods and strict implementation of zoning regulations to minimise commercial activities in residential areas (except small traders and ancillary units) to control noise, garbage, packing etc.

“Institute an inclusive zoning process in the model of Japanese Zoning to reduce housing prices, ensure better city planning and prevent residential areas from becoming areas of commercial activity,” says the document.

Bangalore Development Authority reform

It promises to reform and transform Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to make it a corruption free and effective infrastructure agency. Citizen Service Centers will be established in every ward – a single point window to avail all city agency services.

Housing for urban poor

Under the Kempegowda Vasati Yojane, the manifesto has promised a House for All Urban Poor. It has promised planning and implementation of housing schemes under Slum Rehabilitation Schemes including clearance and redevelopment of Slums and providing shelter needs of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG)

For apartment dwellers, the manifesto says that policies will be framed to ensure that there will be no discrimination in tariffs and charges for water, power and solid waste management between domestic households and apartment complexes.

Airport Metro link

The document promises to provide a multi-point airport Metro link and says that the Purple line of Namma Metro will be extended up to Hosakote Bus Terminus through Kadugodi on one side and Bidadi Bus Terminus through Kengeri on the other side after conducting feasibility analysis. It promises a new RV Road Metro line to Bommasandra line will be extended until Attibele after conducting feasibility analysis.

As for road network expansion, it has promised development of Outer Ring Road (ORR) starting from Puttenahalli Cross to RV Road via Mysuru Road, Summanahalli, Yeshwantpur, Nagawara, KR Puram and Central Silk Board.

The remaining portion of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) would be taken up on priority so that the whole city is covered to reduce traffic congestion within the city, it says.

Lake conservation

It promises Namma Bengaluru Namma Jala – Ensuring Water Security for Namma Bengaluru through a comprehensive framework of policies and laws including rejuvenating Rivers and Lakes, Rain Water Harvesting and Water Conservation.

A new Bengaluru Lake Conservation and Development Authority (BLCDA) will be a single regulatory body for protecting lakes and network of Rajakaluves/Storm Water Drains (SWDs) as part of the largest Water Security for Bengaluru. The government will create a Rs 2500 crore fund to revive the complete ecosystem and network of lakes including catchment area and flood proofing in all flood-prone areas of Bengaluru.

Green Bengaluru

The document says that an initiative to bring back the Tree-to-Person ratio to at least one in Bengaluru will be taken up. A tree census will also be conducted.

It promises to develop the city into a walking city. The city administration will place equal focus on pedestrian infrastructure as road carriage-ways. The city administration will aim to develop 5000 km of scientifically designed footpath/pavements in the city. These footpaths will be optimized for space utilization and will also be made differently-abled friendly

BBMP will also install air quality monitors in every ward of the city and a weekly/monthly air quality report will be released to the public. Rainwater harvesting will be incentivised in urban areas and public spaces to recharge groundwater and a separate pipeline network for recycled water will be laid to encourage its use everywhere in the city. Solar power usage among public and private sector in the city will also be encouraged, the document says.

The Congress manifesto released last month had promised to build 3 lakh houses in urban areas in Karnataka and a million in rural areas annually in the next five years. It said the government had got constructed 1.17 mn houses in five years.