Deputy CM calls for a ‘re-branding of BDA’, minus the ‘brokerage charge’

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently called upon the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) to change its image for the better as it enters its 50th year of existence.

Speaking at the inauguration of a workshop on governance and grievance redress for BDA employees, he said, “BDA completes 50 years this year. Change the image of the organization at least this year. Eradicate its perception as a broker.”

“It took me six months to find out, through my own intelligence inputs, about the corruption in the system. I am aware of the rot in the system at every stage and I am also aware of what is working well in the organization. In this backdrop, we have decided to digitize all documents. Some may not like this but we have to change BDA. The organization is getting a bad name due to 10 percent of the employees who are corrupt,” he said.

“BDA and GBA are the face of Bengaluru. What this city needs today is discipline and honesty. Instead of red-taping the files, identify the mistakes constructively and find solutions for it. I am not going to be easy on corruption and I will take strict action against the culprits. The team led by NA Harris wants to leave behind a legacy. We need to change people’s perception about the organization,” he added.

“Some people wonder how someone like me can talk about discipline. They don’t know the discipline we practice in our lives. I could not have reached this stage of life without discipline. The employees of BDA must try to find out solutions to the problems of people and not create problems for them. Find a solution within the legal framework, and don’t trouble the people,” he said.

“Non-civil and Non-Architecture engineers are coming into the Town Planning department and hence we are starting a Town Planning College in Bengaluru. We will need to plan our cities and towns well. Other than some areas like Jayanagara, Malleshwara, and Chamarajapet, there are not many planned areas in the city. All of us are at fault on this. We need to correct these mistakes,” he added.

“In another 11 years, Bengaluru would be 500 years old and BDA completes 50 years this year. The Chairman of BDA wants to give it a new shape and vision. I came to Bengaluru when I was six years old and I have worked in various capacities since. Kempe Gowda gave us Bengaluru, Kengal Hanumanthaiah gave us the Vidhana Soudha and SM Krishna gave the Vikas Soudha. Harris and I have taken historic decisions for Bengaluru,” he explained.

“Bengaluru’s population has grown to 1.4 crore, but the city was not ready for such a huge population. We need to think of ways to shape the new Bengaluru. A peripheral ring road was planned in 2010 and it could have been done in the budgeted Rs. 26,000 crore, then. Due to delays, it now costs Rs 50,000 crore. We have worked out a different plan to reduce the costs. We will build the Bengaluru Business Corridor, no matter who opposes it. I have told the Chairman that we will not de-notify even an inch of land,” he said.