After huge funds, will development follow?

BANGALORE: Soon after the State government allotted Rs 200 crore for the development of roads in the city, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has planned to introduce Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) scheme to ensure quality work.Of the Rs 1,000 crore funds announced for BBMP in the State Budget, Rs 200 crore has been allotted for Tender SURE roads. Under the  scheme, the specifications for planning and designing of existing roads and new roads will be taken up.C K Ramamurthy, Chairman, Standing Committee (Town Planning) said, “Tender SURE roads include drainage lines, cycle tracks and other aspect of roads. This will help in preventing agencies from cutting roads to lay drainage pipes or any other lines. As seen, generally, when one agency constructs roads, another cuts roads to lay pipes. Under Tender SURE, such circumstances can be prevented,” he said.In the meantime, Prof M N Sreehari, traffic expert, said, “The State government has allotted Rs 200 crore for the development of roads. It will take at least three months to float tenders. If holidays and Sundays are excluded, Rs 1 crore will have to be spent in a day. Can Palike  get spend Rs 1 crore a day and assure quality roads? Looks like  it’s far from reality.”