Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inspecting developmental works during his city rounds on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief D. K. Shivakumar, on Sunday, asked the Congress party cadre and leaders to be ready for local body elections in the state, which he said could be held anytime soon.
“There are indications that the court ruling on local body election could be soon. Elections could be held anytime. We have to be ready,” he said speaking at the KPCC office, indicating the long-delayed civic polls in Bengaluru and other cities. Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections may be held soon.
This statement by Mr. Shivakumar comes amidst rekindled hopes that civic polls may be held in the city later this year. The Hindu had reported on the same on February 5, earlier this month.
Another senior city minister Ramalinga Reddy had told The Hindu that civic polls may be held between June and August this year.
Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill
The Joint Legislature Committee examining the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 also held five public consultation meetings this week and is expected to submit its report by the end of this month. The Bill may be tabled in the upcoming budget session of the Karnataka Legislature, sources said.
It can be recalled that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council completed its terms in September, 2020 and ever since then is under administrator’s rule.
Mr. Shivakumar also said that KPCC will soon form region-wise committees led by working presidents. “This committee will travel before March and achieve coordination. It has to submit a report identifying 50% women candidates,” he said.
City rounds
Later in the day, Mr. Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru Development, went on city rounds inspecting various developmental works, especially whitetopping of roads.
Defending whitetopping of roads, he said that the project “aims to build durable roads with a lifespan of 30 years” at an estimated cost of ₹1,700 crore.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar inspecting the white topping work during his city rounds
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
“Presently, work is being carried out on 97 roads covering 150 km, across 14 different packages. I reviewed the progress today and directed that the work be completed swiftly. The target for completion is 11 months. In the next phase, white-topping will be extended to an additional 450 km of roads,” he told media persons after the inspection.
“The ₹1,700 crore allocated for this project must be spent effectively on the roads. These roads must meet the required thickness standards and BWSSB’s work should be completed simultaneously. Even after the completion of the project, quality checks will continue,” he said.
Following complaints of several RO drinking water plants run by BBMP not functioning properly, he assured a comprehensive review of the RO plants in the city to identify gaps and fix them. He also appealed to residents to take Cauvery water connections at the earliest before summer to avoid a water crisis.
Published – February 16, 2025 08:58 pm IST