Palikes pool funds go down the drain

BANGALORE: Even while the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is paralysed by fund crunch the agency is wasting crore of rupees on “developmental” works in the city.The Horticulture Standing Committee that inspected various places on Friday noticed that Rs 5.5 crore had been spent on the construction of a swimming pool in Lakkasandra, which has been left incomplete for the past few years.Speaking to The New Indian Express, Kengeri Councilor Anjanappa, who is also the chairman for the Committee, said that the Lakkasandra quarry area is eight acres and 22 guntas.“Of the total area, one acre and 15 guntas of land has been utilised for constructing swimming pools. Construction work began in 2007 and it was stopped abruptly after one year. We found that around Rs 5.5 crore has been wasted,” he said.Anjanappa further said that the place chosen to construct swimming pool was not feasible. It is in the middle of a commercial hub. There are two swimming pools, one for adult and other for children, both left incomplete.“At present, these pools are not in a position to be used. Palike will not spend money on this, instead we are thinking of outsourcing it to a private agency for maintenance.  At the end, Palike should get some revenue,” he said. When asked about the fund wasted, Anjanappa said that he will discuss the same with Commissioner Siddaiah.