After govt handed upkeep of some lakes from LDA to BWSSB, and in the midst of courts asking LDA to stop privatizing lakes (See Hindu news report, a victory for ESG and Leo, great show!), last week saw BBMP and BDA floating tenders for works on some lakes

BBMP’s prescription to ease congestion in Basavanagudi area is to install an underpass at Tagore circle – a strange decision, since a gigantic flyover has been built on a parallel road, & that same road (Vani Vilas Rd) can be streamlined for uninterrupted flows to attract more traffic, & limit traffic past Gandhi Bazaar & Tagore Circle.

As can be seen from the diagram, what this will do is invite even more traffic through  MN Krishnarao Rd (diagonal road), BP Wadia Rd as also on Gandhi Bazaar Rd . Soon, there will be a need for another underpass or flyover at Indian Institute of World Culture, followed up further by another at the DVG Rd–Gandhi Bazaar Rd intersection, & so on so forth ! 

While I do appreciate the recent drive by the traffic authorities at enforcing rules, their letting off the regular violators like the autos, BMTC buses, call centre vehicles, etc, and for much bigger offences, makes them susceptible to charges of partiality, or other forces at play. Do they want to do something about that?

It is learnt that a whopping 12,000 appointments were made from 2004 to 2007 when Revanna was heading the Power ministry. These included assistant engineers, junior engineers, assistant executive engineers, assistant accounts officers, linemen, station supervisors, gangmen and others.