2 DECCAN HERALD

Friday, June 7, 2013

Metro
CAG finds money going down the drain
BANGALORE: From diverting funds meant for stormwater drain (SWD) projects to not implementing them in line with the prescribed rules, the CAG report released here on Thursday finds several problems with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The BBMP was implementing 15 packages under four SWD projects at Koramangala, Challagahatta, Hebbal and Vrishbhavathi valley besides remodelling primary and secondary SWDs. Out of the 15 packages, work orders were issued in three packages even before administrative and technical sanction for the estimates by the competent authorities were awarded. In another instance, the notice inviting tenders was closed 15 days prior to the last date of receipt of tender forms, restricting competition, and participation of tenders for the bid. In this manner, only two or three tenders were received for almost all the packages. The report notes that the sources for mobilisation of funds by the Palike was not distinctly brought out in Detailed Project Report (DPR) as a result BBMP fell short by Rs 165.77 crore. BBMP also sought exemption from tendering to complete emergency works which were to be executed within a specified time frame. However, D J Bhadra, Principal Accountant General (General and Social Sector Audit) said: It was clear that there was no emergency as the works were after the end of the emergency period. Works, he pointed out, were completed after a delay of two years. The report noted that the BBMP was allowed to negotiate with the lowest bidder when the tender rates were too high. In one instance, the Palike was found to have negotiated and agreed for a rate of Rs 190 per cubic metre for earth work excavation, when the quoted rate was only Rs 49 per cubic metre. This item, package II of Koramangala, alone constituted extra payment of Rs 2.26-crore, the report said, adding that there were many other instances. DH News Service

Metro realignment: Two alternatives proposed but unlikely to be accepted

Potential victims pour their hearts out

BANGALORE: Residents who are set to lose their homes following the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) decision to realign Namma Metros proposed intersection near Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiological Sciences and Research (SJICSR) on Bannerghatta Road have proposed two alternatives which are, however, unlikely to be accepted.

EAST END MAIN ROAD

LEGEND

For some residents, its good news

BANGALORE: Riding piggy-

Audugodi
JAYADEVA HOSPITAL

NEW PROPOSED TRACK OLD PROPOSED TRACK

MICO Layout

The potential victims came together at a press conference on Thursday and poured their hearts out. K Ramesh, Coordinator, Jayadeva Interchange Metro Victims Forum, suggested two possible ways of constructing Metro lines without disturbing either the iconic hospital or the surrounding neighbourhoods. First, the Metro lines and stations can be constructed in the middle of the road. This way, it will disturb none. Its economical too, Ramesh said. Second, Metro could go underground. Both the suggestions, however, had been submitted before by other victims who lost their properties. While the BMRCL shot down the second option, the first alternative is unlikely to be accepted as it envisages the Metro station above the flyover. The realignment will see 98 private properties, including Raja Galaxy, Infosys, Gopalan Innovation Mall, Bescom, Vasavi Residency, Himagiri Residency, Casa Ansal Apartments, Valtech, etc, partially or fully demolished. The decision

OUTER RING ROAD BANNERGHATTA MAIN ROAD PARK VALTECH INFOSYS BPO

OUTER RING ROAD

J P Nagar

GOPALAN INNOVATION MALL

BTM Layout

APARTMENTS

to realign was taken by a highpower committee, consisting of representatives of the Central and State governments, on April 7, 2013, in order to save a portion of SJICSR from demolition. The affected residents, however, have alleged foul play, saying the hospital will lose only a parking lot and a makeshift eatery. Residents have now pinned their hopes on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. We have made representations to him and hope he takes our grievances into account, Ramesh said,

adding that waging the legal battle was also an option. Among the potential victims is M V Srikantha (70), a resident of Vysya Bank Colony. I was simply shocked to learn about the realignment. If implemented, it will drive me out of my home of 25 years. Where should I go at this age? he asked. Srinivas, a resident of Casa Ansal Apartments, accused the BMRCL of being dictated by the SJICSR. Nobody informed us about the realignment. We learnt about it through the media, he fumed.

Residents also alleged that they neither received any notice about the possible demolition of their properties nor was there any mention of the monetary compensation. Vysya Bank Colony, which houses mainly retired citizens, will lose a large chunk of its geography. Jayagopal, one of the residents, said: There are about 34 families in our society. We have houses as well as commercial spaces. The demolition will not only render us homeless but also deprive us of livelihood. We have already lost a

major chunk of our properties when the ring road was being constructed, he said. The possible evictees also fear they would be provided with a compensation far lesser than the current market rate. We might be offered just 30 per cent more than what we bought our properties for. Its peanuts compared with the market rate, Gopalan, another resident, said. The government will have to shell out at least Rs 2,000 crore if it pays at the market rate.
DH News Service

back on Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Researchs (SJICSR) clout were some residents of 1st Stage, Vysya Bank Colony a locality located just next to the hospital. Their houses were to be demolished for Namma Metro as per the previous alignment. In 2012, these residents wrote to the managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), stressing the need for realignment. The letter said that the locality had already lost a significant portion of its land during the construction of the inner ring road and the colony was split into two. This resulted in reduction in the measurement of houses from the promised 40X60 ft to 30X50 ft. With the proposed Metro construction grabbing eight metres of the localitys land, several houses would have become uninhabitable. Another reason cited was that the Parvathi Parameshwara Temple, which would be demolished to accommodate the Metro line, was of sentimental value to all citizens of BTM Layout. The residents also proposed possible alternatives such as building the Metro line above the present flyover, on the lines

of the structure proposed at Hebbal or even perhaps an underground line. Unfeasible The Metro authorities, citing the presence of the flyover and the underpass at the junction, turned down the request, saying the alternatives were impractical and unfeasible. The BMRCL said it had limited choices. But when SJICSR asked for realignment, the BMRCL authorities easily found a feasible alternative. Realising their good fortune, these residents are now supporting the cause of SJICSR wholeheartedly. The houses in our colony on the other side of the road are anyway getting demolished. But it is important that JICSR is not affected, said Ramanatha Shetty, a resident. Vysya Bank Colony, located on the other side of inner ring road, and BTM Layout 2nd Stage have now become victims of realignment as 34 families are set to be displaced. Jayagopal, a potential victim, said that he was convinced that the government had fallen prey to powerful lobbies. In the previous plan, only six houses were to be demolished. Now, the number has risen to 34.
DH News Service

Finance dept pushed for Metro realignment

BANGALORE: As the controversy over realignment of Namma Metros Phase II line between Gottigere and Nagavara garners a response not solicited by the implementing authorities, it has emerged that it was the Finance Department which pushed for the decision.

Hospital should get the priority

f Namma Metro project is taken up as per the original plan, we will have to close down the hospital for a long duration, said Dr C N Manjunath (in pic), Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The original plan was to build the station within the premises of the hospital and we were against it. There is not enough space in the parking lot, we have an underground oxygen plant and also a diesel plant. Any construction can be disastrous, he added. The main issue, according to Dr Manjunath, was the lack of open space in the hospital. We have just 120 to 130 mts of open space. The station will encroach upon the outpatient department and also the angiogram facility, he said. His second concern was the amount of dust that the Metro construction would generate.

Depressed homemaker ends life

BANGALORE: A middle-

aged homemaker was allegedly found hanging at her house in HRBR Layout 1st Block, Banaswadi, on Wednesday evening. The victim, Kavitha, 40, was married to Veeraraju who works in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The couple have two sons, Lokesh, 24, and Prabhakar, 21. Banaswadi police said Kavitha was married to her uncle when she was just 15 years old. Lokesh said his mother was under depression for the past several years, but did not reveal the reasons for her suffering. He said she saw him off to work as usual on Wednesday morning, but when he returned home at about 10 pm, he found the house locked from inside. As Kavitha did not answer his calls, Lokesh grew suspicious and called a freind for help. They broke open the door and found his mother hanging from a ceiling fan in the hall.
DH News Service

N Sivasailam, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), had warned on March 7 about protracted litigation which may delay the project, when the decision to realign was taken by the high-power committee (HPC). Going by discussions at the meeting that gave the go-ahead for realignment near Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR), the BMRCL was firm on sticking to the original alignment, the detailed project report (DPR) for which was approved. But Ajay Seth, the then Principal Secretary, Finance, argued: As SJICSR is a reputable institute of public health and a jewel in Karnatakas crown, other options, which do not affect the hospital, could be considered. The minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is with Deccan Herald, quote Seth as saying: ...For locating the stations, JICSR should be left untouched, even if it involves spending more on land acquiDH News Service sition and demolitions.

He had even assured that the State government would support the BMRCL in all respects, including providing additional funds to ensure that the HPC decision is implemented. Sivasailam had submitted that the new option would involve disturbing eight huge buildings, including Gopalan Mall, On Mobile building, Infosys, a marriage hall, Bescom building, and a Raymond store. The cost of the additional land acquisition and the demolition are estimated at Rs 124.64 crore. There is a strong likelihood of protracted litigation which may stall or delay the project besides escalating the cost on account of delay and litigation, the minutes quote him as saying. The best option, Sivasailam suggested, could be to skip the station as the entire line may get stalled on account of litigation resulting in huge negative fallout for the project and the public. Seth, however, discounted the warning, and argued that the litigations, as and when they come, will be dealt with on merit, as in case of any other project. On Thursday, the BMRCL maintained that no decision was taken unilaterally. We are a government organisation. We do not take any independent decision. The government and its policies govern us, its spokesperson B L Y Chavan told Deccan Herald.

CENTRE OF CONTROVERSY: The proposed Namma Metro intersection near Jayadeva Hospital on Bannerghatta Road will be realigned, displacing hundreds of families. DH PHOTO

Micro dust is something we can have no control over. During excavation and other work, the dust will lead to infection in patients, he said. A Metro station means a lot of activity and train movement will have an adverse impact on patients, Dr Manjunah said. He quoted the example of Vani Vilas Hospital which too has a Metro corridor coming up close to it. During the Metro work there, the hospital building developed cracks. The same might happen to our hospital too, he said. When asked about the fate of the nearby residents who stand to lose their houses due to realignment, he said: In such a scenario, a hospital should be given priority.

Government in no hurry to review decision

BANGALORE, DHNS: An outcry to revisit the decision to change the alignment of Namma Metros Phase-II line near Jayadeva Hospital by affected residents notwithstanding, there has been no formal decision to look into the matter by the government. A senior State government official, who was present during the March 7 meeting that took the decision to change the alignment, told Deccan Herald

on condition of anonymity that the government revisiting the decision would be based on further scrutiny, if there is a formal proposal. One has to understand that disturbing Jayadeva would cause inconvenience to a lot more people in the long run. The argument placed by the institutes director was based on specialised knowledge and the government had to consider such views, the official said.

He said the meeting was also attended by other doctors, including faculty from Victoria and another hospital, but nobody countered his views given as a medical practitioner. Implementation of any public project of this nature will have some people losing their properties. But one has to look at it as a whole. Past record of compensations given to affected people reveals that people are paid handsomely. The

Thomas committee set up to study this endorses the same, another official said. Pointing out that Jayadeva caters to the needs of hundreds of people not only from the City, but also from other districts, the official said that the larger interest of the citizens is being protected by this decision. However, in line with what BMRCL MD N Sivasailam had feared, residents who are set

to lose a part of, or in whole, their properties due to the realignment of Namma Metros Phase-II line near Jayadeva Hospital have threatened to go to court if favourable action is not taken by the government. Angry residents, on Thursday, said that they would write to chief minister Siddaramaiah to consider their views and that they would take the matter up legally, if the response is not favourable to them.

Star walk

Police clear pavements, plan pedestrian safety

BANGALORE: Concerned over

City weather
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. One or two spells of rain/thundershowers will occur in some areas. TEMPERATURES Maximum 29.9 C Minimum 22.0 C Rainfall tr Humidity 71 pc Sunrise 5.53 am Sunset 6.44 pm Moonrise 4.43 am Moonset 5.44 pm

Actor-couple Upendra and Priyanka walk the ramp with children at a programme organised by the Smile Foundation in the City on Thursday. DH PHOTO

pedestrian safety and encroachment of pavements/foothpaths, the City police have planned to launch a concerted campaign to educate citizens on the importance of using pavements/foothpaths while undertaking a massive drive against those encroaching pavements. According to Additional Commissioner (Traffic & Security) M A Saleem, a series of short films on pedestrian safety and stressing the importance of using pavements has been completed, besides pamphlets and advertising posters on the subject. Stating that the campaign will get underway in the later part of June, Saleem observed that the move was being initiated against the backdrop of 298 accident deaths in the first five months this year, of which

Parking on the footpath is a common complaint.

158 victims were pedestrians. The percentage of pedestrians killed was nearly 53, which forced the traffic police to seriously address the issue of pedestrian safety, he added. Following a drive against encroachment in the last four months, the City police, he said, identified and booked 42,120 cases against various violations. As a result, a majority of pavements are encroachment-free at present, he claimed. The police booked 25,523 cases against those who had parked vehicles on pavements. DH News Service

As many as 8,739 cases were booked against drivers driving vehicles on pavements. Many roadside vendors and hawkers and a few businessmen had encroached pavements for keeping their wares. The police identified such stretches and booked 7,552 offenders and collected hefty fines from them, Saleem said. The police also booked 306 people, who were found to have permanently encroached the pavements and arrested them, besides collecting fine. We wanted to adopt zero tolerance and have ensured that pavements are in a better condition to be used. We are in the final stage of completely clearing the encroachments. Our work will take a couple of weeks and we will educate citizens to use pavements once all stretches are in a better condition, he added.

Mayor post for ST: HC dismisses petition

BANGALORE: The High Court dismissed the petition filed by two corporators seeking to include Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates for the post of Mayor/Deputy Mayor for the year 2012-2013. Justice Nagmohan Das dismissed the petition terming it infructuous, as the petition had sought ST category to be included for the year 2012-2013, but BBMP has issued notification for the Mayor/Deputy Mayor's election for the year 2013-2014. A single bench had earlier issued orders to consider ST candidates for the Mayor/Deputy Mayor's election for the year 2013-2014. Since the petition had sought the post for 2012-2013, the bench stated the petition is invalid and directed the petitioners to file a fresh petition. DH News Service