During the budget session, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that Indira Canteens would be inaugurated on August 15. The state government’s project, is however, in danger of not meeting the deadline.
According to a report by Rohith BR in the Times of India, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which is executing the project, is not able to find locations in many wards.
According to BS Prahallad, Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure), BBMP, out of 198 wards, work on constructing the canteen space has begun only in 38 wards and the approval for construction has been given only for 75 wards.
“There are many hurdles. It is not an easy task to construct canteens in 198 wards. We have identified locations in many wards. The reason why we are not finding land in some wards to build the canteen is because residents have opposed the construction in the spaces that were identified. Moreover, we have to follow the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act as per high court directives. No construction can take place in parks or playgrounds. We do not want to run into legal troubles later,” Prahallad said.
While sounding hopeful of meeting the August 15 deadline, Prahallad said that the Palike is using precast technology to speed up the construction process.
“Work is almost done in 38 wards. We are bringing in five precast canteen units into Bengaluru every day in a bid to meet the deadline,” he added.
He said that the BBMP has approached the Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner’s office and also other civic agencies in the city to help it acquire land for the canteens.
Although the Palike is pushing to meet the deadline, BBMP Commissioner, Manjunath Prasad said that all the canteens would be constructed only by the beginning of October, based on the pace of work.
He also said that the areas, where 27 centralised canteens will cook and supply food to other canteens, has not yet been decided.
“The tenders will be finalised and contracts will be signed on July 24,” he added.