Public can say 'no' to malls

If you don't want a mall in your area, just put your foot down. If mayor D Venkateshmurthy has his way, citizens will have their say when a plea is made to the BBMP's town planning wing on malls coming up in residential zones. The issue was discussed at length at the BBMP council meeting on Wednesday, with corporators led by opposition leader MK Gunasekhar saying that malls, especially those in residential areas, create huge traffic jams. The mayor said that henceforth, standing committees will consult the public while giving approval for the construction of a mall in BBMP limits.

For the full report in the ToI, click here

Here is perhaps an indication of how the elected representatives are finally beginning to reflect the mood of the people, since ultimately they are dependent on the people for their re-election.

Now, as far as Koramangala is concerned, there has been some talk that the hurried execution of this end of the "Agara to Sirsi Circle signal-free corridor" (check here for more on that) is largely for easy access to a huge mall supposedly coming up in the recalimed land originally downstream of Agara lake, and part of the catchment of the Bellandur lake.

Well, there are enough malls already in and around Koramangala, in fact more than the carrying capacity of the area, resulting in some of them having to close down even. As such, another mega mall, and the resulting traffic congestion, is something that the people here could do without. May be a representation along these lines needs to be made to the local Corporator, as also the Mayor, lest we have another Malleswaram like situation developing here (check this)

Muralidhar Rao