Private firms to beautify Bangalore roads?

BANGALORE: The Fund crunch Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now seeking help from private companies to adorn roads. The State government had given a conditional approval to the BBMP’s budget this year and had directed the Palike to take up  new projects.Presently, Palike is undertaking works only at ward level and with this, officials and other elected representatives have a very few options to start with new initiatives. Consequently, the Palike now wants outsiders to beautify and maintain roads in the city.According to chairperson of Standing Committee for Horticulture Anjanappa,  they are open up to private parties who can inmprove and maintain medians, junctions and also space beneath flyovers including  the Metro flyovers.“A Bangalore-based private company has come forward to beautify the space below Domlur flyover. We are discussing the matter,” he said.The initiative includes growing ornamental plants, maintaining them and looking after  ornamental stones. “Companies can also promote the name of their firm,” Anjanappa said. A senior official from BBMP said that at present the financial status of Palike is not stable.“We have cut trees in many areas  for development  works. Adorning roads with small ornamental plants will be an attempt to give meaning to the title Garden City.”“We are approaching private companies,” an official said.