Meeting with Adviser to the CM on road-widening issues

The meeting was convened by Dr A Ravindra, advisor to the CM on urban issues, at the instance of the Bangalore Environment Trust (BET), on the matter of 'road-widening', on 23rd June, at the Vikas Soudha. Along with Dr Ravindra was his deputy Dr Ashwin Mahesh. Though the Commissioner had apparently been requested by Dr Ravindra to be present, along with some of his top officials, only a Superintending Engineer turned up, that too some half way through the meeting.

There were about 20 invitees, largely from Civil Society groups, including Capt Prabhala, Mr Govardhan, Mr Nityananda, Mr Devare from BET, Ms Kathyayini Chamaraj from Civic, Dr Harini Nagendra, a Doctor who is spear-heading the 'Sankey road widening opposition' movement, apart from yours truly representing Praja and Koramangala Initiative.

It started with Mr Nityananda of BET making a presentation, making out a case for widening, where need be, in a more tree-friendly way, citing examples of some specific roads.

The 2nd presentation was by Harini largely bringing out the relevance of avenue trees, backed by some scientific data, countering the opinion of certain experts that they should be confined to parks.

The 3rd presentation was by a lady from Basavanagudi (Ms Sumathy - if I got the name right), who, after introducing herself as an ordinary citizen with no expertise in any field, did an excellent job of pointing out the futility of the present spate of road-widening, citing the specific case of the Tagore circle under-pass project, as an example.

I found an opportunity to add that, if some arterial roads have necessarily to be widened, the jobs have to be engineered properly, like in the case of the Vittal Mallya road, and quite unlike the new airport road, more particularly the stretch between Hebbal and High grounds police station. In addition, I stated that due consideration should be given in the design to pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised forms of vehicles. Here, I went on to cite my experience as I was heading for the meeting - check http://praja.in/en/blog/murali772/2010/06/23/forced-jay-walking. I also brought up the matter of the authorities not touching the shrines springing up all over, even as the mute trees were targeted first in the widening process. I then went on to question the logic behind widening of the Hosur road stretch near the NDRI, felling all the beautiful trees there, when there was no guarantee that the army was going to be giving land on the stretch adjoining the Bangalore Military School. How does it help to have so-called corridors where you have a few wide stretches interspersed by a number of bottle-necks? I had of course to add that while there have been claims of BMTC's services having improved in the recent past, there are limitations to government monopolies, and they should consider licensing private operators, at least for the much needed last mile connectivity, for which I myself have put in an application. Lastly, I added that PRAJA has drawn up a comprehensive feasibility report for Commuter Rail Services, which will be published within a week, and the government should consider this seriously, it being amongst the most cost-effective of solutions compared to the various options under consideration now.

The Doctor (from Sankey road assn) endorsed most of what I said, adding besides the problems the four schools along the Sankey road are going to be faced with with the road widening. He stated that everything was fine with the road till such time as the poorly designed Cauvery theatre under-pass came up. He added that all that was called for was good junction design.

Kathyayini raised a whole lot of legal and policy issues, including the question of the legitimacy of holding such meetings.

Dr Ravindra readily conceded that there was no legitimacy to the meet, and that they had convened the meet only at the request of BET. Besides, all that they can do is to convey the feelings of the group to the CM, as also the Mayor.  

Dr Ashwin Mahesh added that if things could be got done through the elected representatives alone, which undoubtedly is the most legitimate route, they needn't be there in the picture at all. Here, the Doctor ( from Sankey assn) intervened to say that neither their MLA nor their Corporators were responsive. Both Dr Ravindra and Dr Ashwin Mahesh then emphasised on the need to convince the elected representatives, since after all, they were the ultimate authority in a democracy.

The meeting concluded with an offer by Dr Ravindra to try and organise a meeting for the group with the CM, and Mayor, at the earliest.

The above notes are my version of the proceedings. Others present may add their views, and the Janata is of course welcome to comment.

Muralidhar Rao