K J George visits slums, lakes and ghettos

BENGALURU: Bangaluru development minister

K J George

on Thursday, inspected the west and north-western parts of the city with the agenda of undertaking developmental works but with major impetus on development of shantytowns in Gandhinagar, Tulasi Thota, Binnypet, Malathahalli and Yeshwanthapur. The tour was made such that in most places he met the party workers to make ground for 2018 assembly elections.

George mainly announced two works that will be taken up—at Chikkalalbagh, he assured

BBMP

officials that the park will be redeveloped by BMRCL. This park lost 83 trees of which about 20 were ornamental plant species due to the metro underground project. Three fourth of the park was acquired by the metro authorities for the project.

BMRCL completed tunneling under this part of the city in September this year. The park has since worn a dead look and was not open for use.

He also visited the polluted Malathahalli lake in west Bengaluru. BBMP officials and locals complained that sewage flow is the main reason for the deterioration of the lake water. Mayor

G Padmavathi

, accompanying the minister in the inspection tour told him that Rs37 crore is pending from the state to be sanctioned for a sewage treatment plant to be built near the lake. “We will have a meeting with the stakeholders and find out why the project is stuck. Also we will ensure the

STP

is commissioned by next year,: said K J George.

However, in most other parts he visited—D Group employees layout in Yeshwanthpur, Binnypet, Tulasi Thota and Ullala, he met the residents and enquired about the civic problems and met party workers also. In Ullala, he visited the lake which was supposed to be rejuvenated by BDA but left neglected. However, he did not make any comments at this spot. He also visited the Mestripalya lake in BTM Layout.

He met party workers in all the places and the tour was intended to showcase the minister’s interest in developmental works of the entire city. However, he refrained from making comments about the controversial steel flyover saying the matter is subjudice.