The Hindu               17.12.2013

New GVMC website

Special Correspondent

The redesigned website of GVMC to take service closer to people will be launched on December 22 by S K Joshi Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development and Special Officer of GVMC. IDBI branches at Daba Gardens, Sitammadhara, Gajuwaka and Anakapalle will be linked to enable people pay their property and water taxes from their home.

The New Indian Express            16.12.2013

Soon, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in  parking lots in markets, commercial complexes and multi-level car parking lots of the BBMP.

BBMP is calling for tenders to maintain parking lots at KR Market, multi-level car parking on JC road, BBMP shopping complexes at Rajajinagar, Yeshwanthpur and Jayanagar. According to Deputy Commissioner (Market) Nagaraj, in order to ensure security, the Palike is insisting that bidders install CCTV cameras at the entrance, exit as well as within the parking premises. “Some vehicles that were parked in some of these parking lots were damaged. CCTV cameras will help us prevent such incidents and nab those miscreants,” he said.

This time, the tender period will be for three years. “We used to call for the tender for one year. This year, we are calling for long term tenders. Bidders are allowed to charge fee equivalent to that of agencies that charge fees in the KSRTC bus stand  as well as railway stations. This will be little higher compared to the present fee. But security of the vehicles will be ensured,” Nagaraj said.

Not just this, the parking lot will be open during the night also. At present, parking is allowed from morning till night. “Security guards have to be deputed round- the-clock. Parking will be allowed during night, but the fee will be higher,” he said.

Sources from the BBMP said many of these parking lots were allowing to park vehicles during the night. “Vehicles were parked at the owners’ risk. Miscreants used to break glass-panes of the cars, steal fuel, music systems and even other parts of the car. But agencies were not held responsible. Now the tender clause will specifically say that there should be a security guard, so such incidents can be avoided,” sources said.

‘We Can Tackle Garbage Menace’

According to Mayor B S Sathyanarayana, this will also help keep vigil on those who dump garbage. “With CCTV cameras, we can tackle the person who is responsible for littering parking lots. Our staff including pourakarmikas are working and we can see how they work,” he said. “There is a meeting on Monday and we shall decide on calling for a tender soon,” he added.