Footpaths: This film was made by Samarth Saran, Saumya Tyagi and Bharat Sharma — a team of three people from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore who took part in the short-film making competition held at IIM Ahmedabad’s flagship management festival Confluence 2010. The competition was titled ‘Campaign for a cause’ and it had to study whether government policies really reached their target population
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Very good documentary
Very good documentary, must see. While I do not agree high barricades are a hinderance to crossing I agree there arent enough cross over points on arterial roads so people end up crossing over the barriers.
Even crossing a 30 ft road ON zebra lines are dangerous especially for senior citizens as the vehicles dont stop for pedestrians
Its an interesting
Its an interesting documentary - it also highlights the pig-headedness of the BBMP officer Gopalswamy who seems to have very little idea or is in denial that there is a problem and has some absurd idea that there is a squad actively fixing every crack in the footpath and will respond to a citizens complaint ! Okay - it might be true that there is a such a squad though I havent seen it in action.
His comment about public encroachment also shows his denial of reality. I have complained several times about use of the footpath for dumping building materials - I acutally took photos and gave them to the BBMP with a hand-written letter. Nothing was done till the building construction was over.
Ramesh
Scare them away
We are an aspiring (and for some already) world-class city after all. Cars rule. How can you be world class if you get to watch the poor pedestrians by the road side when driving by? Scare them away.
Whats the alternative?
Just curious- say it is a 60 x 40 site (like many in Banashankari's commercial areas for eg., opposite Annakutira and near Big bazar) and someone is constructing there. The government regulations might allow for 5' in the front as the setback in these high density areas.Infact, i have seen most buildings along that road touching or almost touching eachother. Suppose you were to build here in this site, where would you dump the building material? is there some alternative one can work with? especially when the front pillar will be set about 5-7 feet inside the site, but the excavation for the pillar foundation will be 3 feet around the pillar, there is just no space to dump the materials required. Also, when excavating, loads of soil is removed from these trenches and these occupy the site until removed or used to back-fill into the pits after the pillars are cast. So whats the solution here?
Heard of Dumpster?
Good processes in place
Good processes in place there. Wish we had help lines and utilities like in the post by IDS.
".......Earthwork activities must have equipment standing by for mud and dirt removal from the street and sidewalks. All streets and sidewalks must be kept clean and power washed if necessary to prevent dust...."
"...Do not allow materials to be placed or dumped in the streets, parkways or sidewalks...."
The scenario in my last post is live now in Banashankari. Leave alone the 30 x 40 sites, even 60 x 40 sites are very hard to work with during construction.There is usually no space in the site to store either the excavated earth- which should be removed immediately as the removed earth should go into dumpsters- but usually there is no place to temporarily place dumsters or trailers. Can we think alond and probably come up with alternatives or solutions. Wish there was place in every site as in those photos.
The other aspect is that green building practices advocates use of excavated material re-use at site, thus reducing energy invovled in construction processes (including transportation of material). Also, removing and disposing excavated earth is extra cost when refilling exising earth is way cheaper than new earth bought and brought from ouside for the purpose. So the owners tend to take their chances. 2 options to go- make dumping existing earth cheaper + cheaper new earth (thereby create a win-win situation) or punish dumping earth on sidewalks and make it as costly as new earth (thereby creating a no-win situation; as dumpsters cannot be parked in the site and thus cannot await removal at the end of the day- so owners will end up paying fines and the problem of pedestrian discomfort will still exist). The no-win situation will create more pocket money for BBMP and hopefully not for some local private pockets.
"...Excavations and structures shall be completely surrounded by fencing until backfilling is completed and the structure can be secured against unauthorized entry....."
It is all about being responsible!
"...The scenario in my last post is live now in Banashankari. Leave alone the 30 x 40 sites, even 60 x 40 sites are very hard to work with during construction.There is usually no space in the site to store either the excavated earth- which should be removed immediately as the removed earth should go into dumpsters- but usually there is no place to temporarily place dumsters or trailers. Can we think alond and probably come up with alternatives or solutions. Wish there was place in every site as in those photos..."
Good excuse to leave the debris on footpath. Since I can't get a big dumpster in my area I will leave all the debris from my construction site onto the road. What the heck if others gets inconvenienced. That's the message to the public, from our friend Ananth.
If there is no space to park a truck or debris removal vehicle, how did you get your construction material to the site? I am sure trucks, tempos must be ferrying the bricks, sand, cement, wood etc.
Fact of the matter is if we have a will we will find the solutions. Otherwise all excuses.
The scenario that is given in IDS post is from place which has a law, rules that governs the law, procedures and process to comply with the rules and enforcement to deal with the non-compliance. The construction starts with obtaining the relevant permits which obligates the owner to comply with all the rules including removal of debris from the construction site. Where big vehicles can't reach the site front or back, the debris is ferried on wheel borough to the truck or the dumpster.
For small reworks also, at the end of the day/work the debris and the waste is to be carried away by the contractor and gets disposed of at the disposal site. Any refusal by the contractor can get his license canceled permanently.
Given that in India it is OK to do anything, at least we as educated, conscious and sensible citizens should start working towards doing things RESPONSIBLY. Yes without infrastructure and processes in place, it is a tall order. But can not go on making one excuse or the other to evade the responsibility. Just because everybody does this way, doesn't make your efforts right. We need to grow up from the mentality of finding excuses.
If infrastructure doesn't exist demand it and don't rest until it is created. If processes are not in place fight for the process to be in place. Stand up for the non-compliance even if it is your kith and kins. That is how we are going to leave this place in good condition for the next generation.
Believe me we can find only handful who will stand up to the right cause and betterment of the society we live in.
Lame excuse
but usually there is no place to temporarily place dumsters or trailers.
Most construction containers only occupies 8 feet on the street which is equivelant to the width of a car parked along the sidewalk.
Example
Illustration
discuss solutions
"...Good excuse to leave the debris on footpath. Since I can't get a big dumpster in my area I will leave all the debris from my construction site onto the road. What the heck if others gets inconvenienced. That's the message to the public, from our friend Ananth...."
Dear Syed, i was merely pointing out the state of affairs and trying to see the problem as a whole. There was no 'public message' anywhere. Well, arent we supposed to do some healthy brainstroming to find solutions to issues? Which part of my post looked like a public message?
"....I am sure trucks, tempos must be ferrying the bricks, sand, cement, wood etc..."
They dump material early by 7-7:30 in the morning before the cops catch them doing this and run. Frequently we also see bricks and steel bars on pathways. Cement is bought in very small quantities- on an everyday basis- because if there is a little rain, they become useless. These problems continue until the ground floor slab is cast and the shuttering is removed, after which these materials are shifted inside.
"...Fact of the matter is if we have a will we will find the solutions..."
Sure- that is the reason why we discuss.
"..Where big vehicles can't reach the site front or back, the debris is ferried on wheel borough to the truck or the dumpster..."
There was a residence construction at Magadi Road some months back (in one of the cross roads- site size of 30' front x 80' depth). Or one might want to consider the live example of Banashankari site. Where should have one parked the dumpster - the area was a heavy traffic, narrow roads (for the traffic) commercial zone. I am asking becasue I dont know. There is no need to get hyper.
Hey IDS, thanks for the illustrations. Are we saying a solution might be that we put the dumpster on the road like in the picture? Wont that just pass on the trouble to the vehicular traffic? I am thinking someone will have to start putting these things on stilts and raise it up by 7' during day, and placed on the pavement, thus not affecting the pedestrians. But during day is when the dumping happens most, and it will be out of the question to move it up or down when it is laden, except when some motorized mechanical arrangement like a mini crane operates this. Is something like that available? Then again, what was your first clue to identify 'Lame Excuse’?
Hey this is a public forum and anyone is allowed to raise any point that is relevant. When the problems are not looked at from all sides, any solution suggested will be only wishful thinking (like have will and find solutions- we are brainstorming for those solutions, are we not?). Also, we should start appreciating constructive criticisms and play the devil’s advocate for ourselves if we are to come up with something that works.
Solutions?
Ananth,
I am glad we are on same page to acknowledge that if we look for solutions we will get one and if we look for excuses we find plenty.
"...I am asking because I dont know. There is no need to get hyper..."
Answer is simple. If you don't know, ask the experts. No body on Praja claims to be expert, therefore you will have to make some efforts in reaching out to those experts and come up with solutions.
"...Hey this is a public forum and anyone is allowed to raise any point that is relevant. When the problems are not looked at from all sides, any solution suggested will be only wishful thinking (like have will and find solutions- we are brainstorming for those solutions, are we not?)..."
when you mock at every suggestion made here, would you get solutions? you will get mocked.
Criticism is fine, but also be ready to get criticized. Don't get dismayed with the counter response.
Now lets talk solutions to the problem you have mentioned. First thing I will do is ask around to see if any process or rule exists that govern the construction sites, debris removal etc. The governing authority in this case would be BBMP. Let us start with BBMP and find if there is anything in BBMP books.
Syed, "...Answer is simple.
Syed,
"...Answer is simple. If you don't know, ask the experts. No body on Praja claims to be expert, therefore you will have to make some efforts in reaching out to those experts and come up with solutions..."
Yes, some may be able to do more than just discuss, unfortunately i can just discuss. Since Praja is a public forum, i do not know how can one make a general statement like no body here claims to be an expert'. Well, somebody might know more, if not you and me.
"...when you mock at every suggestion made here, would you get solutions? you will get mocked...."
Read again. I need to ask you again which part of my post looked like mocking? Again, if i was 'dismayed' with counter response, my reply to yours would have had a very different tone.
Enough of this non-productive talking, eveybody is here to contribute to making situations better- thats is the reason anybody is here at all. So probably if we spare this thread of all the unwanted talk, someone might post some solution that exists for our context or come up with something workable.
Do we have motorised liftable dumpsters (like we have car parks)? I will talk with some friends in some construction management agencies and post solutions if any (might take a week). Hopefully others will also post their experiences here (about solutions). Then, after we know how it can be made viable, we can also discuss proposals to regularise the processes.
BBMP Bye-laws 2003
Interestingly, BBMP Bye-laws talk of a Ground Rent that needs to be paid. Seems to essentially legalize use of public property for 'storage' of construction materials. Didn't see any guidelines on 'how'.
Extract:
@Ravi, any laws or rules governing removal of debris?
Ravi,
Thanks for sharing this with Praja.
Any laws or rules that governs the removal of debris from pavements in front of the construction sites?
-Syed
Legalizing obstruction
From Ravi's extract above
Does this mean the following
It looks to me that these rules are encouraging obstruction so BBMP can make money out of it (which also they dont do properly). Another law for our corporators to work on during their paid working time in that building with a dome they call office.
Bye-Laws - Contd..
Bye-laws seem to not indicate how to, but the building plan approval seal demands some action. Here is a copy of the seal on the plan approval document for a multi-story building.
Don't understand why this is not a part of the bye-law document itself though. How do you enforce a requirement that is on a seal without any references to a clause or penalties that accompany? It might just well be that it is not intended to be enforced at all :) Sorry, cheap shot.
Agree!
Agree with IDS and Ravi_D. If we were be the surrogate BBMP, would we -
a. Ask for penalties from the violators and allow them to continue what they do
b. Try finding a workable and an enforceable way to manage the construction materials in tight sites (which apparently cause more trouble)- as the lack of in-situ storage is a prime concern (until the ground floor roof slab is cast and the shuttering is removed so that space can be used). Any violations after this enforceable rule will work then.
Some strong technical/technological help here might go a long way is what i feel.
So, what's new?
85-year-old Abdul Bashir was walking towards Majestic bus stand. Stumbling on a hole, he fell down and lost his life. Police say he died of a heart attack, but shopkeepers in the area feel that it was not a ‘weak heart’ but the shock from the fall that killed the man.
For the full report in the Bangalore Mirror, click here.
So, what's new? It's an everyday occurance in Namma Bengaluru, right? And, who cares?
further reiteration
Most people in the city are oblivious to the fact that by its very definition, a road is incomplete without a proper footpath and that the pedestrian is an important stakeholder in the footpaths and also has the sole right to use them. The municipal corporation has failed to disseminate information that a common man could use to voice his concerns.
For the full report in the DNA, click here.
Further reiteration of the point, if at all it was required
Malleswaram `Ironman' Marathon
I propose an `Ironman' marathon - for Malleswaram, but that can be replaced by pretty much any locality in Bangalore. The rules -- Walk from 18th Cross and 11th Main to 5th Cross and Sampige Road entirely on the `footpath' - except, of course, to cross the road at `pedestrian crossings'.
Anyone who successfully completes this will have my undying respect and admiration. Any MLA/MP/City Counciller who comepletes this successfully will have my vote for the rest of his/her career. Time is not a factor - in fact, MLAs/MPs etc are free to get the footpaths built / cleared and complete the challenge.
Ramesh
16th Feb Citizen's Traffic Forum meeting extracts -3
Extracts from the record notes of the proceedings of the 10th Citizen's Traffic Forum (sometimes it is referred to as Traffic Advisory Committee TAC) Meeting held on 16-02-2013
Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City instructed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic East Division and Traffic West Division to personally look into the matter and ensure that all mud / sands / building materials dumped on the road and footpaths is removed.
In response to my specific request, the Commissioner stated that he will send out a memo to all traffic sub-division heads to enforce this strictly. Citizens facing problems in this regard could approach the local traffic sub-divison Inspectors (contact particulars accessible here), citing these minutes if required, to have the redressed.