Bangalore : With the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) preparing to present the budget on August 18, the focus is on determining the priority areas in the budget.

“Water conservation is one of the top priorities this year. We are trying to implement as many projects as possible to harness every drop of rain water, said Commissioner Siddaiah.

Speaking at a tree planting programme organised in association with the Army Service Corps in their campus, he said that water conservation projects including rain water harvesting has to be implemented properly.

Speaking to The Media, he said that despite heavy rains in the past few days, the city has been unsuccessful in utilising rain water as a solution to the city’s water needs.

He continued to explain that BBMP has decided to approach owners of properties that are constructed on more than 1-acre land area to encourage them implement rain water harvesting and tree planting measures.

Further, he stated that the city came quite close to losing the reputation of being the Garden city. He said that the corporation has decided to plant nearly 6 lakh saplings with the help of homegrown BBMP nurseries. The Palike also plans to garner the support of army establishments, government offices and other authorities for this project.

On Friday, BBMP in association with the Army Service Corps, flagged off a green initiative to plant 5,000 saplings in the ASC campus.

Commissioner Siddaiah also pointed out that the budget will focus on implementing signal free corridors and junctions, and projects related to the development of lakes.