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A look at the saga of meeting Bangalore’s infrastructure needs by K. SUKUMARAN
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PHOTO: V. SREENIVASA MURTHY
GROWING NEEDS: The Malleswaram Circle Underpass in Bangalore. —
The last one year has witnessed some urgency in tackling the infrastructural problems of Bangalore which were getting out of hand, mainly due to lack of consistency and continuity of policies and programmes to build up basic amenities.
Public outcry compels most of today’s administrators to initiate some correctives to civic problems. This is typically true in the case of ‘Namma Bengaluru.’ Though all public demands are not attended to at one go, at least a few of them receive attention periodically. In all fairness to our administrators, we have to agree that the problems of our city have grown beyond the ability of the administration to solve them. Some of the humps are lack of continuity, changing priorities, inadequate technical and financial support, legal impediments, lack of cooperation from the public, and power lobbies. Because of all these, a half-hearted approach to issues is seen.
Origin of public outcry
It all began in the 1990s in the aftermath of the IT revolution. New establishments such as Infosys, Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services employed a large number of personnel. They put pressure on housing, roads, transport, water, power, drainages and shopping centres. Faced with the massive needs of the growing population, the Government set up the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) — a body of representatives of government, industries, NGOs and experts from various fields — to oversee the implementation of plans for retaining Bangalore’s pre-eminent position as a growing global city. The BATF really did a good job, but in the light of the 2004 election reversal for the then ruling Congress and the debate on “Bangalore vs Karnataka” gaining momentum, the BATF was disbanded without putting in place any other outfit to coordinate and monitor the Bangalore agenda.
Public demand
The formation of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) by including eight municipalities and about 100 villages around Bangalore, and increasing the area of operation of BBMP to around 800 sq. km., —wherein even basic needs such as water supply, drainage and power were severely short, let alone roads, transport and housing — revived the public demand for quick action to restart major works for infrastructure development. While the administrative machinery has been gearing up to tackle the issues involved, a couple of important events overcame the city fathers.
The most important event was the change in the ruling political set-up from single party rule to a coalition and later the President’s Rule, which took away what little road map was there. The other event has been the completion of the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli even before an approach road to the airport got ready.
Hit and run
The twin developments of ruling party changes and the urgent need for connectivity to the BIAL put the officials in a fix. The public outcry compelled them to act in haste to give a semblance of tackling the issues speedily. The magic box approach to the ‘road to Devanahalli’ thus began with the ‘experimental’ Cauvery signal underpass, followed by the elevated road at the BDA junction bringing with it traffic congestion in many parts of the city due to traffic diversion. The Cauvery underpass gave some abject lessons to the authorities, like flooding, seepage, inadequate width at the central point, lack of pedestrian crossing, absence of footpath/cycle lane etc, apart from caving in during and after construction.
The Malleswaram underpass met with some public objections initially but has been completed now. The traffic flow appears smooth. The service roads and the pedestrian crossings are required to be expedited to fully utilise the shopping facilities in the area.
The status of Metro Rail is not very encouraging as not even a single sector has been completed so far. M.G Road traffic has been badly hit by the Metro line construction there. The 100 Feet Road (Indiranagar) section too took considerable time initially due to objections from the traders. The NGEF strip got bogged down due to land acquisition delays because of the election code.
The process is expected to start now since the elections are over and the new government has approached the issues relating to infrastructure seriously, as can be seen from the Governor’s address to the Assembly on June 6.
The important flyovers under various stages of construction are:
Magadi Road Cross flyover which would have been finished by now but for the rains.
Cox Town railway overbridge, work on which is progressing.
One of the weaknesses that has come to light in the plans for flyovers has been the short distance ‘overbridges’ which really adds to the landing point chaos. To correct this lacunae, plans are stated to be under consideration to extend elevated roads on J.C.Road, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Sirsi Circle-Kengeri road strip etc based on new technology.
Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan
A comprehensive plan to decongest the city centre by devising a mass transport system based on space availability, work and school timings, interconnected bus system, metro rail, autos etc to reduce dependence on private vehicles is reported to be under development, which may be a long-term solution to Bengaluru’s ills.
Lack of resources
Sources say that around Rs. 5,000 crore is required by the BBMP for meeting the basic needs of Bengaluru. It would be possible to generate revenue only if the plans like ‘Sakrama’ and CVS are implemented, with whatever modifications the present government desires to have.
Long-term solutions
Lessons of the past have taught us that no hit-and-run approach can solve the problems facing us. We must have a real vision of future Bengaluru, which will have to be translated into action before we lose time and precious opportunity.
Resources should not be allowed to become a hindrance. Let us safeguard our city from decay so that whatever time is left for the old Bangalorean and the good life ahead of our grandchildren can be protected.
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