The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Readers' Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Readers' Mail

Public transport

inadequate

Sir, — As everyone would agree, the city lacks a good public transport system. It seems like the Government is trying to make up for this by issuing more Autorickshaw licences. Instead of helping the public, autorickshaws have become more of a menace.

Firstly, autorickshaws are polluting the city, as many of them do not use the recommended fuel.

The refusal of autorickshaw drivers to go to certain parts of the city is another problem. Sometimes they also demand three to four times the actual fare.

This should not be the scenario in a developing city like Bangalore. In cities such as Kolkata, where there are multiple means of public transport such as the metro, local trains, buses, taxis, and autorickshaws, the Government has regulated the system by assigning a helpline number where commuters can register complaints.

Is it not possible for the authorities concerned to develop such a system in Bangalore?

M. Arul,

Bangalore.

Change train timings

Sir, — The Railways are running weekly special trains (0683 and 0684) between Chennai and Bangalore starting at 9.30 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. and arriving the destination at 4.35 a.m. and 5.15 a.m., respectively.

It will be more convenient if these trains were made fast passenger trains starting around 9 p.m. and reaching the destination around 6 a.m. or 6.30 a.m. This timing will help the passengers reach the source stations early and get better sleep. Passengers at intermediate stations will also benefit from the change in timings.

K.V. Pathy,

Bangalore.

Repair roads after work

Sir, — I regularly travel from Vidyaranyapura to Yeshwanthpur via Ramachandrapura (R.C. Pura) on a two-wheeler. It was nice to see that Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) had taken up the underground caballing work at R.C. Pura. However, the roads were not repaired or levelled after the work was completed. A lot of dust rises from these unfinished works. It will be nice if BESCOM officials inspect the work done by the contractors. Since high-voltage caballing work was done, the road should be properly closed so that there is no threat to life.

H.R. Nagendra Sharma,

Bangalore.

Change one-way rule

Sir, — As part of the one-way rule on Richmond Road and Residency Road, the Richmond Road flyover has been opened to two way traffic with a bewildering cross-over at the top. Why not just reverse the one-ways on Richmond Road and Residency Road, leaving the entry and exit on the flyover as they were? This will avoid the need for a crossover and the resultant delay. Traffic ascending the flyover from Residency Road can move towards Mission Road; traffic entering from Double Road can move towards Richmond Road in the opposite direction; traffic on Richmond Road can move one-way towards the airport; and traffic on Residency Road will move one-way towards Richmond Circle and the flyover. A divider on the flyover will automatically regulate the traffic. It seems the crossover was thought of at the last minute. The reversal of traffic flow on the two major roads will mean a lot of work.

N.R. Madhusudhan,

Bangalore.

Maintain standards

Sir, — Residents of Bangalore should be happy that the proactive work of Lokayukta N. Venkatachala who has investigated the substandard work in road maintenance and repair. A sufficiently thick top layer of asphalt and sand is crucial to prevent the formation of potholes. If the thickness is inadequate, the load from the tyres is not distributed to the ground evenly. This makes stones come lose and become the nucleus of a pothole.

The need to increase the thickness of the asphalt-sand layer was brought to the attention of a former chief engineer several years ago by this writer.

His reply was that they were following the Central Public Works Department rules in this matter. If this were so, the CPWD was laying down the wrong specifications, or the chief engineer was unaware of the rules.

The engineer must be directly responsible for maintaining standards, and failure to do so should result in suitable punishment including dismissal from service.

S.R. Valluri,

Bangalore.

Give rebate to

senior citizens

Sir, — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. is issuing bills every two months. Previously the scheme allowed us to make 100 free calls each month. But now the bill has been split. If the calls made in one month are fewer than 100 and more than 100 in the next, BSNL still allows only 100 free calls per month in the bill.

The landline is essential for aged persons as many of them have some kind of ailment and need to keep in touch with their doctors and relatives. BSNL should give some concession to senior citizens.

A. Sama Rao,

Bangalore.

Readers may e-mail their letters to: letter.Bangalore @thehindu.co.in

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section

Two arrested for selling LPG

Icing on the cake for festive season

Cricket rivalry claims youth's life

Stove explosion kills woman

Normal winter predicted