DK Shivakumar says Anekal will become part of Greater Bengaluru Authority

Bengaluru: Setting the tone for an expansion of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said Thursday that the neighbouring semi-urban and industrialised part of Anekal in Bengaluru Urban district will be added to its limits in the coming days.However, the Bengaluru development minister did not disclose any timeframe for the inclusion of additional areas into GBA's limits.Visiting Muthanallur and adjoining areas as part of his inspection of CMC, TMC, and taluk panchayat areas that will possibly be added to the GBA limits, Shivakumar said, "All amenities, including Cauvery water, are being provided to these areas. In the coming days, the Anekal region will be included in GBA limits. I have inspected areas under the urban local bodies of Bengaluru Urban district that are eligible to be included into GBA limits. I have called for a meeting Friday to discuss with officials the facilities to be provided to the region in the coming days."The DyCM revealed that a committee, led by BS Patil, is preparing a report on the possible addition of new areas into GBA limits. "The committee has been asked to hold interactions with the MLAs, MPs, resident welfare associations and the general public. This weekend I will interact with the public during the Walk for Bengaluru programme and subsequently, a special meeting will be held with the representatives of IT and BT companies, especially those that are based out of Mahadevapura and KR Pura region," Shivakumar clarified.Stating that about 2.5 million people reside outside of Bengaluru municipal limits, Shivakumar said, "Areas such as Electronics City, Whitefield, Airport Road and parts of Yelahanka still remain as panchayats. Wherever urbanisation has increased, we need to plan systematically. While the garbage is cleared in some areas, it is left unattended in some other localities as they are under panchayat limits. Hence, accountability shall be fixed on officials."Why talk about potholes on these roads?The DyCM also toured the roads leading to Biocon and Infosys companies, off the Hosur Road. When asked whether he spotted any potholes and garbage piled up on these roads, Shivakumar replied, "Biocon firm is located within panchayat limits. The Bengaluru city limits and panchayat limits are entirely different. I have already spoken about this. Why talk about it again now? But I have seen those areas myself."Referring to the fast-approaching deadline to fill up potholes across Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "Our engineers are working throughout the day to fill up potholes. In some areas, we are laying an entire layer of road instead of just filling up potholes. These works will go on continuously. We are waiting for the rains to stop and we will resume the work once the rains are reduced."City to host urban development Ministers' conclaveWith Bengaluru set to host a conclave of urban development ministers from all south Indian states on Oct 30, Shivakumar said, "Union urban development minister Manohar Lal Khattar has consented to take part in the event. We will definitely ask the Centre to fund infrastructure works in Bengaluru."