Yediyurappa Unveils Series Of Measures To Address Bengaluru’s Urban Woes

A day after he promised to address Bengaluru’s urban woes on a war footing, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa swung in to action on Wednesday (6 November) by unveiling a series of steps including setting up of Bengaluru Mobility Management Authority (BMMA) to reduce traffic congestion in the state capital.

Setting Up Bengaluru Mobility Management Authority (BMMA)

Bengaluru Mobility Management Authority (BMMA) will function under the Urban Development Department (UDD). BMTC, BMRCL, BBMP, BDA, and traffic police are likely to integrate under this new agency. A similar government body mooted by the previous government and called Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) never took shape.

BMMA will be authorised to monitor the development of 12 high-density corridors. Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. is likely to be entrusted with developing these corridors.

12 corridors identified include locations like KR Puram, Mysuru Road, Old Madras Road, Whitefield Road, Electronics City, Outer Ring Road, Hosur Road where dedicated bus lanes will be created for faster movement. These roads will also have a dedicated bicycle lane.

6,000 Electric Buses For BMTC: Yediyurappa also announced that it will add 6,000 more buses to BMTC. At present, the corporation has a fleet of 6,500 buses.

“The additional 6,000 buses will not be purchased, but will be hired from manufacturing companies. The cost will be Rs 500 crore per year as against spending Rs 5,000 crore on buying new buses,” the CM said. This apart, new buses will be electric, which will reduce air pollution.

Without specifying the quantum of bus fare reduction proposed , the CM said that he is in discussion with the officials and added that it will be done after providing financial support to BMTC.

Namma Metro: Yediyurappa also set an ambitious target of expanding the Metro to 300 km by 2025. In the official statement, the chief minister said the 72-km Phase II project would be ready by October-December of 2021 while the proposed Metro projects on Outer Ring Road and to the airport would be ready by 2023. Under Metro Phase-III, BMRCL has been asked to extend the line till Hosakote.

Garbage: On the garbage crisis that the city faces, the CM said the City generates 4,500 tons of garbage of which 2,500 tons are processed scientifically and the remaining dumped without processing.

The CM said that he has deputed 20 engineers to BBMP to look after garbage disposal and more pourakarmikas will be recruited to keep the city clean.

Lakes: On lakes rejuvenation projects, Yediyurappa said all expect Bellandur and Varthur lakes will be handed over to BBMP for maintenance. The two are maintained by BDA and once it is done, it will be handed over to BBMP.