17 August,2011 07:09 AM IST | | Yacoob Mohammed
Over the past two months, the efforts of the BMRCL to bring back greenery to the city have been applauded, especially after they said that MG Boulevard would be gifted back to the city.
Shockingly however, a revelation about BMRCL's uncleared cheques came about when MiD DAY spoke to the Karnataka State Rural Industries Corporation Limited (KSRICL), which has been assigned the project of rebuilding the boulevard in March this year.
"We have a deadline to keep and with the cheques not cleared, things are not looking good. We've been waiting clearance of dues since last month and despite regular reminders, nothing has happened," said Chikkana Gowda,u00a0 senior official, KSRICL.
When questioned about this allegation, BMRCL officials denied it outright."We do not have any dues and have cleared everything. The Boulevard will definitely come up on time," clarified Yeshwanth Chavan, BMRCL spokesperson.
Meanwhile, city town planning experts are taking a dig at the Metro body for the delay and non-payment.
"BMRCL has got all the grants, but it is difficult to understand what is preventing them from sticking to the commitment they have made," said M N Sreehari, advisor to state government for traffic, transportation and infrastructure.
Besides, a ground check in many areas below the Metro construction is proof enough that work on the Boulevard has not yet begun. There is debris, stones and garbage dumped below the Metro construction in Ulsoor, MG Road and near the police grounds.
"The plants, which the horticulture department is providing, will not survive in the debris and stones. This issue will further jeopardise the project," added Sreehari. While it remains to be seen if the Rs 5 crore project will take off at all, Bangaloreans are awaiting the completion of the Boulevard.
