24 June,2009 08:40 AM IST | | Chetan R
Minister Ashok scores over MP Ananth Kumar in the squabble to get their wards included in the model zone project
In the tug-o-war between BJP bigwigs R Ashok and H N Ananth Kumar, it's the former who's had his way in shortlisting wards for the Rs 500-crore Model Zone Project.
Under the project, eight wards in the city will be transformed into model ones, with round-the-clock public utility services.
The project, which the state government had planned to start last November, was delayed because of differences between the two party bigwigs, said a source in the urban development ministry.
While Ananth Kumar, MP from Bangalore South, wanted most of these eight wards from Basavangudi, it is Ashok, minister in-charge of Bangalore, who seems to have succeeded in including wards from his assembly constituency Padmanabhnagar, sources said.u00a0u00a0
No differences
Ashok, however, denied having differences with Ananth Kumar over the project. "We are going to make eight wards including Yediyur model wards," said the minister. "We had no differences on deciding the wards."
The date of the launch is yet to be decided.
Eight wards in the city will be transformed into model wards at a whopping Rs 500 crore. A consortium of basic service providers including BBMP, BDA, BWSSB, Bescom and a committee comprising bureaucrats and experts in traffic, infrastructure and environment will lead the change.
A detailed study of the area and services currently available will be carried out after the official announcement of the initiative. A draft will then be prepared on par with developed cities of the world.
The model zone will have services including water, power, transport and health services round the clock besides signal-free roads with adequate parking space.
The state will later extend the initiative to other wards.
"Realisation of the project will certainly add to infrastructure in the city. Undeveloped wards will see a drastic change as the project begins," said Professor M N Srihari, advisor to the chief minister on infrastructure.
