Karnataka plans Rs 35 billion World Bank loan for civic projects

02 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Karnataka government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has announced plans to borrow Rs 35 billion from the World Bank to fund major civic improvement initiatives in Bengaluru. The funds are aimed at enhancing water supply, stormwater drains, sewerage systems, and flood management infrastructure. According to reports, the loan approval is expected soon. - Rs 10 billion : Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). - Rs 20 billion : Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). - Rs 5 billion : Revenue Department.- Construction of nine sewage treatment plants. - Laying 400 km of sewer network lines and building pumping stations. - Constructing 173 km of new stormwater retaining walls and strengthening 80 km of old ones.

The Rs 5 billion allocated to the Revenue Department will support the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre. Despite the ambitious plans, concerns remain over the effective use of funds. The BWSSB has faced criticism for allowing untreated sewage to pollute lakes and stormwater drains. Meanwhile, the BBMP has struggled to tackle encroachments on waterbodies.

Adding to the controversy, the Anti-Corruption Bureau recently filed a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging misappropriation of BBMP funds allocated between 2013 and 2024 for road and flyover development. Reports claim these funds were misused, raising doubts about the proper management of the proposed World Bank loan. (FPJ)

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