Derailed yet again
That Bangalore badly needs an alternative public transport system is never in doubt. Perhaps in no other city/state/country would a Metro Rail system as the one in Bangalore (‘Namma Metro’) be as eagerly looked forward to.
Unfortunately, no where else would this eagerly awaited project be mired in controversy since its inception.
Its been a shade under 4 months since the PM inaugurated the project. Yet inspite of the assurances of the project’s CEO that things are progressing as per schedule, not a trace is visible on the ground to show progress.
The latest insult to the ongoing injury of the Bangalorean’s woes was the news that a delegation of high-level bureaucrats had planned to embark on a three-nation junket to study “urban mass transportation system”.
What is baffling is why such an exercise was not undertaken before the project commenced as the take-aways could have been collated and incorporated into the system that was the most suited for Bangalore.
In what is seen as the “babudom” being put in their place following a news report, the CM disapproves the trip of officials not directly connected with the trip. Its so good to know that namma CM reads newspapers and has a pulse on public opinion….er, editor’s opinion, at the least!
The land acquisition along the proposed route is being stalled in several places. None more than along CMH Road. First came the news that the route alignment was fixed and no changes would be made. A couple of representations by the aggrieved parties, the CM says that he will ‘look into’ the matter. Not known for his decisiveness as is felt by the languishing state of infrastructure in Bangalore, the CM has unwittingly caused another delay in the project.
Today’s news that more land is being planned to be acquired than what was found necessary for the project adds another unspoken angle to debacle – that of vested interests as far as ‘land’ is concerned. That the integrity of key officials is being questioned and will add to their disappointment, demoralise and demotivate them will be a byproduct.
Perhaps as the say in Kannada – ‘devarige gothu’ ( god only knows ) – when the project is going to emerge from its labrythine mess onto a platform near you.
:(
Agree, it is really a shame Ravi.
To get anything drastically new in a crowded city like Bangalore, some old has to give. It is not just CMH road, I read yesterday that another area (Mahakavi road) is making noise about BMRC grabbing “more land” than required.
As I had said earlier, projects that need to executed in the heart of the city, can *NEVER* move at good pace, because the very nature of work (lots of money and contracts, displacing people, breaking structures) requires strong political will. And you cant get that with a coaltion government on clutches in power.
And sadly, the way our city is set up, local governments dont get all the freedom and independence to execute even purely local projects (large example: metro, small example: flyovers).
Silkboard:
Though I agree with you that for some good to happen some bad will happen, it is also worthwhile to understand the plight of the businesses being moved out of CMH road. You know how good “compensation” by government is going to be. And even if there is some decent compensation for their displacement, how can they get back their clientele in a new area?
I understand a perfect solution is next to non-existent, but a point to ponder, nonetheless.
Bangaore city sucks. There is no traffic sense in this city. People don’t give a damn about traffic rules and guidelines. There is no proper traffic management system for this city. If you go a little bit further from the main road, chaos rules the roads and narrow streets. Vehicles are parked flouting all parking rules. In places like Kammanahalli, there will be no space for the pedestrians as the entire sidewalks will be occuppied by cycles, scooters, bikes and autos. Bangalore is fast turning into the worst city in South India.
Bangaore city sucks. There is no traffic sense in this city. People don’t give a damn about traffic rules and guidelines. There is no proper traffic management system for this city. If you go a little bit further from the main road, chaos rules the roads and narrow streets. Vehicles are parked flouting all parking rules. In places like Kammanahalli, there will be no space for the pedestrians as the entire sidewalks will be occuppied by cycles, scooters, bikes and autos. Bangalore is fast turning into the worst city in South India.
Kumar,
Looks like you have a very gud idea about blore city problems….My vote goes to you if you stand for elections :-)))..lol
If you ask me to vote for the worst place to stay in Bangalore city, I don’t have to think even for a second. It’s called Ramaswamy Palya near Kammanahalli and its surroundings. The entire area is dusty and dirty due to the unpaved roads, parking rules are willfully flouted and personal and environmental hygiene is at its lowest level. On one side, heaps of dirt and sand dug up from the storm water drains have been dumped on the sides of the road. On another side, construction material has been dumped leaving no space for people to walk or drive safely. (This place is the best site for scientists to study air pollution).
Apart from the general level of lawlessness in this area, a good number of unhygienic teashops and meat stalls remain an eye sore to the public. Respiratory disorders are the norm here. Municipal water supply is twice a week and those who are unlucky have to bear up with the hard water drilled from borewells. The re-construction of the Indian oil flyover has created further mayhem in this area. There is no bus service in the stretch from Maruti Seva Nagar to Kammanahalli and Kalyan Nagar as it has been diverted through Banaswadi Main Road. Apart from the dirty dust, people have to take a roundabout route to go to Indiranagar, and Maruti Seva Nagar. Autorickshaw drivers are making hay while the residents struggle to cope with the mess this area is in.
I think the responsibility of making this place unlivable lies with the city corporation, the government and the people who live here. There is no escape from this fact. This place is a disgrace to the city of Bangalore. I request the media to help the residents to rescue this place from the dilapidated state it is now in.