Ramanagara, 22 Feb

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that all the road repair works in the City will be done before the monsoon season arrives.

Speaking to the media in Ramanagara on Sunday, Shivakumar stated that he has instructed Rs 5,000 crore road works “must be completed by March or April. I have also said that all the work should be finished before the onset of the monsoon”.

Shivakumar said road works worth Rs 2,671 crore have been taken up in the last three months.

Earlier, in a statement after holding a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) meeting, he said that 80 per cent of the tender processes have already been completed for road work in the City.

Shivakumar emphasised that projects should not be delayed for ceremonial reasons.

“Do not wait for Ministers or MLAs to attend foundation ceremonies. Start the work immediately and complete the formalities later,” he said.

Bengaluru’s infrastructure had made national headlines as the roads collapsed in a short period of time and several industrial leaders openly criticised the government for mismanagement.

While both Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued several deadlines last year for all pothole repair work to be completed, they were not met.  However, the government has stepped up measures to fix some roads.

Meanwhile, speaking to the press in Bengaluru, Shivakumar defended party leader Rahul Gandhi. He said Gandhi was not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha.

"Rahul Gandhi is doing whatever is in the interest of the country. When there is a tariff problem, farmers in this country will be affected.... Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition has not been allowed to discuss various subjects," Shivakumar said.

On his upcoming visit to New Delhi amid the power tussle, Shivakumar said: "Who else will go to Delhi? We have to go when called. It is a normal practice."