SWABHIMANA and PRAJA are planning to bring together citizens ,stake holders and elected representatives on a common platform to discuss pedestrian related problems in different areas of Bengaluru
PEDESTRIAN VOICE is a campaign to bring to focus problems faced by pedestrians in namma Bengaluru and to find solutions to various issues regarding pedestrian safety and rights has brought together SWABHIMANA and PRAJA to create a platform to enable fruitful discussions on the subject between the citizens and various stake holders. We believe that with a sustained campaign we can have a better city in the next 2-3 years.
Background
BENGALURU was once called a pedestrians’ paradise . Footpaths were clear and user friendly.There was no fear of being knocked down by a vehicle and it was a pleasure to walk . Footpaths, though poorly lit, were totally free of encroachments.
Objectives of this project
The objectives of this project are 3-fold
a. Ensure pavements exist and are in good shape in the first place. Work with BBMP to identify stretches of pavements (200-300m) where pavements either don't exist or are in bad shape.
b. Minimize encroachments. We are talking here about cars being parked, poles, etc. Hawkers are not in scope as agreed between Swabhimana and BBMP. This is a contentious issue which might simply lead us nowhere. Work with BBMP and BTP
In the longer term work with elected representatives and BBMP/BTP/BMLTA/BMRCL to evolve a pedestrian friendly approach to town planning. This will depend on how well the short term project goes.
Swabhimana has already met with BBMP Special Commissioner (Mr.Srikar) and BTP and have been assured of their full support. Communication attached.
What is expected from Praja members?
a. Swabhimana and some praja members will meet up with authorities, etc
b. What others who cannot participate on the ground can do is to send photographs of footpaths in bad shape/encroached from their respective wards. Please indicate the ward number/area name, the street name, number (main road/cross road) and some landmarks. This will make it actionable
Once we have data we will go meet with BBMP.
About Swabhimana
Swabhimana is a platform for like mided groups in Bangalore whose objective is to create a Bengaluru that is clean, green and safe through citizens’ participation.
Founded by Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore City Corporation in 1995 as a “citizen – local government interactive forum”, Swabhimana has over the years evolved into a sustained platform of Non-Government Organisations and Residents Welfare Associations in Bangalore, whose vision is to make Bangalore a Cleaner, greener and a safer place to live. Swabhimana was registered as a Public Trust in April 2002.
Swabhimana (Mr.Ananda Rao, Mr.Shanmukh Patel)
Praja (Shekhar Mittal, Deepak Rajanna, Muralidhar Rao, Srivathsa)
| Attachment | Size |
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| Meeting with SC- BBMP office 25 March 2009[1].doc | 21 KB |
| Add[1].Commis traffic.doc | 43 KB |
| Reply frm add, traffic.doc | 263 KB |
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Pedestrian Facilities
Good Initiative - With diminishing sidewalk widths & total neglect of pedestrian facilities, this will hopefully kick-start the efforts in the interest of the public.
Long overdue, Happy to Help
This is a terrific, urgently needed initiative. I will be really thrilled to participate / help. My request from the SWABHI MANA and PRAJA teamis the following.
(a) Please convince BBMP and related authorities to publicize their plans so that people can provide feedback on their plans. This is a fundamental rule of design - getting user feedback.
(b) I think Praja members can help by picking select areas and geting feedback, trying to convince stake holders etc. For this plan to be succesful, we have to get the citizens interested and the authorities strictly enforcing ruloes and laws. Otherwise improved footpaths will simply get encroached.
(c) We also need to find out what the design standards are. Can we find a compilation of relevant laws, engineering standards etc. available on this website. Some of the footpaths in this city, need a ladder to climb on to.
(d) we need some sort of realistic time frames attached to such a project. Some goals for SWABHIMANA and PRAJA respectively to aim for.
Okay, maybe I went too far there :-). Once again, this is great! You guys can count on me to help the best way I can.
Roads near the parks to be monitered
This is a very good initiative by Praja and Swabimana. The pavements, near the parks used for walking should be given top priority. I have seen many Senior citizens coming to the parks in morning and evening. They will have tough time to walk on the roads with out proper pavements. Secondly all the roads near the parks should have designated pedestrian crossing and also should be monitered by traffic police. The roads near the parks should have road humps. Many of the accidents occuring in these areas are due to rash and negligent driving which has resulted in the injuries and death of senior citizens. BBMP and police must take quick action to help the park users. I can name Krishan rao park in basvanagudi and BBMP park in JP nagar II phase as the ones which need action.
Thanks
bvsuresh
bvsuresh
nice!
>>Hawkers are not in scope as agreed between Swabhimana and BBMP. This is a >>contentious issue which might simply lead us nowhere
can someone explain this a little? you want hwakers to move out of pavements or you are ok with them being on pavements or you have no views one way or the other?
also - one additional point when discussing pedestrian facilities - its comfortable to walk when there are lot of trees and there is shade. People will find it tough to walk on roads without shade, hence BBMP must be told that by going on cutting trees and concretising footpaths and not allowing new trees, they're making life difficult for pedestrians.
On hawkers
Vinay,
When Swabhimana met BBMP, they asked Swabhimana to not get into contentious issues for now e.g. eviction of hawkers.
When Mr.Ananda Rao and some of us met, we decided that we need to have pavements first before hawkers can encroach!! We agreed that we need to prioritize issues rather than make it an all or nothing project. And hence for now hawker eviction is not in scope.
We agree that they are a nuisance at times, but the bigger nuisances are
a. Non existent / broken / incomplete footpaths
b. Cars/bikes parking on footpaths as if it were their birthright to do so.
c. Bikes riding on footpaths when there are traffic jams
d. Buildings/gardens/construction material encroaching on pavements.
Based on my experience in large stretches of Jayanagar and JP Nagar it is these 4 that are bigger culprits than hawkers.
Srivathsa
Drive safe. It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.
Help needed - Pedestrain Voice
To all who come here and post, need the following help.
a. Start with the main roads in your area and identify stretches where the footpath is non-existent, broken, encroached.
b. Take pictures (discreetly if needed) and post here. Please don't confront anyone encroaching the footpath. We will leave that job to the authorities.
c. When you take pictures, please note down the name/street number/landmarks. Just pictures won't do.
Once we have collected a lot of them, we will go to the authorities and show them the pictures and ask them for a plan of action.
No promises on what the outcome would be, but to quote Gandhi - "Everything that you do will be insignificant, but it is important that you do it all the same"
Drive safe. It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.
Survey of Brigade Road - Residency Road towards Hosur Road
Drive safe. It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.