Citizens smell scam in installation of Rs 60 lakh worth of gym equipment in park

BENGALURU: A small park in Shankar Math ward under Mahalakshmi Layout constituency, which was in a bad condition, is now in the centre of a controversy after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) recently renovated it and installed some gym equipment to attract visitors at a cost of about Rs 60 lakh. The huge bill for the work carried out has raised eyebrows.

Suspecting a scam by the BBMP engineers, a social activist has decided to complain to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against the BBMP engineers for alleged corruption in the purchase of exercise equipment.

Activist Arun Paramesh claimed, “The park has been beautified by the Palike. The old cobblestones were rearranged,  the walls painted and gym equipment was installed. The estimated total cost for the work is Rs 60 lakh. The Palike officials are waiting for the bill to be cleared as they spent grants from other projects on renovating the park”.

The social activist claimed that the BBMP engineers are not forthcoming about the tender process, including details about the company from which the exercise equipment were purchased and the total expenses.

Locals have alleged that the work was carried out in secret without disclosing project details, including the grants, tender, and start and end dates of the construction work. The estimated bill of Rs 60 lakh for just 15 exercise equipment, has now raised doubts among the locals.