Now govt plans road code in BBMP limits but will it work?

NT Correspondent

A special road code will be implemented for the integrated improvement and maintenance of roads in Bengaluru, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Replying to S. Ravi in the Council on Thursday, the CM said there is a need to find a solution for city road related issues such as repairs, building of new roads and white topping wherever necessary.

The purpose of implementing the road code is to study the pros and cons while carrying out such work, he said. Stating that white topping is a costly affair, Bommai said the government was having a relook at it. White topping would be done only where it is necessary in the city. Huge funds are being wasted on white topping, he said.

Thorough inquiry
The CM also said the government will hold a thorough inquiry into the alleged irregularities in road work carried out by KRIDL and BBMP and stern action would be taken against all those involved. The inquiry would cover those who entrusted work to KRIDL; the company that executed the work and the progress of other work.

No one would be protected and those who have indulged in malpractices would be punished. In the last five years, nearly 1,511 km of white topping has been done at a cost of Rs 1885 crore. The design of each road, width and length varies from one road to the other and so does the cost of work. In BBMP limits, 200.80 km of white topping work has been completed in the last five years and Rs 1015.

30 crore has been spent for the purpose. Around 4,000 km of roads are being maintained in BBMP limits in the last five years, which includes asphalting, underground drainage (UGD) and pedestrian path construction and maintenance for which Rs 4,110 crore has been spent.