BBMP's Rs 24 Crore 'Green City' Fund Allocation Draws Criticism
Bengaluru: The Bruhat
Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has come under intense scrutiny following
revelations of a controversial allocation of funds meant for environmental
initiatives. Officials from BBMP have reportedly floated tenders amounting to
Rs 24 crore under the 'Green City' project, intended for planting saplings.
Shockingly, these saplings are slated to be planted in Dabaspet, a location
outside BBMP's jurisdiction and unconnected to Bengaluru.
The
decision has sparked widespread criticism, especially from residents and
environmentalists who question the rationale behind spending property tax funds
on an unrelated area. Earlier, the city witnessed the felling of numerous trees
to accommodate metro and road widening projects within BBMP limits. In
response, the BBMP had committed to replenishing the lost green cover by
planting saplings elsewhere in Bengaluru.
However,
the move to plant saplings in Dabaspete has stirred controversy and cast doubt
on the BBMP's commitment to sustainable urban development. According to details
from the tender, each sapling along the highways in Dabaspet is budgeted at Rs
3,100, covering its nurturing for three years. The BBMP's tender, valued at Rs
3.40 crore, aims to oversee the planting of approximately 10,900 saplings in
this outlying area.
Critics
argue that this decision not only undermines the original purpose of the 'Green
City' initiative but also raises concerns about financial prudence and
governance. The controversy highlights the pressing need for transparency and
accountability in municipal expenditures, particularly in projects aimed at
environmental conservation.
As the
public debate intensifies, stakeholders are calling on BBMP officials to
provide clarity on their decision-making process and to ensure that public
funds are used judiciously for projects that directly benefit Bengaluru and its
residents.