Can BBMP build 125 Indira Canteens by Aug 15? 40 built so far, says civic body

While the initial target was to build 198 canteens by August 15, the government has decided to open the rest of them by October 2.
Can BBMP build 125 Indira Canteens by Aug 15? 40 built so far, says civic body
Can BBMP build 125 Indira Canteens by Aug 15? 40 built so far, says civic body
Written by:

The Karnataka government's ambitious Indira Canteen project will not meet the target of constructing 198 canteens by August 15, say reports.

As the deadline inches closer, the BBMP has so far constructed 40 canteens, reports The Hindu. According to the BBMP, around 125 canteens will be built by Independence Day and the rest will be inaugurated on October 2.  

N. Manjunath Prasad, Commissioner, BBMP told the newspaper: 

“Work has been completed on 40 canteens so far. In two to three days, another 30 to 40 will be completed. All focus now is on getting 125 canteens ready before August 15." 

A few months ago, the Congress state government had announced the project of building canteens at 198 wards in Bengaluru and had assured that they would be functional by Independence Day. However, with the possibilities of finishing work by then appeared to be bleak, CM Siddaramaiah had said that only 125 canteens will be functional by August 15. 

Controversies

The construction works have run into trouble multiple times in several places, sometimes when a library was razed to make space for the canteen, or at other times when trees were uprooted.

Elaborating on this, the BBMP commissioner said: “There is no problem for 135 canteens as land has been identified and handed over for work. In around 25 locations, issues have arisen. Wherever there is a confrontation, we have stopped work. We will look for alternative government land in the same wards. If there is absolutely no alternative available, we will look for private land as a last resort." 

Earlier this month, the wall of a 300-year-old temple in Chamrajpet was razed to make space for Indira Canteen. The BBMP's action had invited heavy criticism from the local residents. 

Meanwhile, the JD (S) launched its first Namma Appaji Canteen in Hanumantha Nagar, way ahead of the Congress government fulfilling its promise. 

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com