The price of growth
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Bangalore became the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the East because of the strides in information technology. But what are the disadvantages for city residents? An observation by K.SUKUMARAN
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Nostalgia: The ideal conditions have gone for ever.
Sleepy Bangalore, nay, ‘Bengaluru,’ became nationally and internationally famous all of a sudden! But, at what cost? Bangalore became the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the East because of the strides it made in the field of information technology and comparatively cheap service to clients in the U.S., Europe and even in Singapore and China. What is the price we pay for the progress and prosperity? What are the advantages and disadvantages for the citizens of Bangalore? What has happened to their aspirations of leading a peaceful and pollution-free life? Are they destined to a sub-standard living for the rest of their lives?
The city of yore
Even a couple of decades ago, Bangaloreans enjoyed the pleasures of small towns such as independent bungalows, horse- drawn carriages, ‘one-by-two’ coffee and jay walking through M.G. Road and neighbourhood. But, to day things are different. The roads are congested and one faces over crowding in almost all thoroughfares. The pedestrians find inadequate foot paths and what little foot paths still left free are full of hawkers and vendors and subjected to two wheeler onslaughts despite the bumpy rides for the riders during peak hours if they are not otherwise ‘occupied’.
The cost of living has increased manifold. Rentals have doubled and even trebled in many localities. Land costs have multiplied. Property prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary people and there is no indication of price rise abetting in the near future. In fact, the rising inflation and consequent interest rates will only push the property cost upwards
What’s wrong?
The major developments which contributed to the present state of affairs have been:-
The haphazard growth of the city and suburbs.
Mushrooming developers making merry using the ever increasing demand for housing, without ensuring basic amenities like roads, transport, water supply, sanitation, drainage, and waste disposal facilities, which are left to the Govt agencies, who are unable to match the ever increasing requirements of the facilities.
Sanctioning private housing lay outs, townships and multi-storeyed apartment buildings without sufficient back up services. Unbridled speculative investment in land and buildings- cornering of land in anticipation of price rise in short and medium term.
Increasing number of two and four wheelers on the roads creating traffic jams on the already congested thoroughfares.
Why the sorry state of affairs? The worst thing has been the lack of preparedness on the part of the authorities who are responsible for the forward looking ‘planning for development of infrastructure’ to match the demands from the ever growing population.
What should have been done to prevent the present mess?
Some of the steps which would have stemmed the rot, even at the cost of being dubbed ‘hind sight’ are:
The implementation of the Urban Arts Commission under the Chairmanship of late T.P.Issar, for retaining the heritage of Bangalore, like “no high rise buildings zones”, clear demarcation of residential and commercial zones, strict guidelines for constructions and administrative vigil on deviations from sanctioned plans, deterrent punishment for encroachment of Govt land etc.
Advance completion of key arterial / ring roads / highways and connecting roads with special emphasis for identified ‘future growth centres’ for residential / commercial / industrial needs.
Administrative set up for the city to effectively deal with planning, implementation, and review.
Delinking of Bangalore from the State Administration to create a Bangalore Metro Authority which would also have powers to raise funds for development purposes.
Citizen-centric approach
Almost everyone agree to the fact that rot has set in. Urgent steps are to be taken to correct the position. The quality of life of the citizens needs to be raised to retain the image of our favorite city. We should preserve the heritage and greenery. Pollution should not be allowed to unleash health hazards. We must usher in development and growth to other cities like Mysore, Hubli- Dharwar, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Shimoga and Mangalore so that, further migration from other towns can be prevented. We must also increase the contribution from Bangalore to the national product. What can be a package for ‘namma Bengaluru’? The workshop held on the 28th June wherein the key stakeholders like, BBMP, BDA, KSIIDC,BMTC,BWSSB, BESCOM, KHB, BMRCL, and B-TRAC have presented their AGENDA FOR BANGALORE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (ABIDE). The Chief Minister too gave out his mind on the Vision for development of major cities and towns under PPP model.
Many debates and discussions also have taken place at the ABIDE. It was decided to set up a high powered Committee for Bangalore to review the progress of projects under implementation at monthly intervals. The State has sought an assistance of Rs 5,000 crores from the Centre immediately for taking up priority projects.
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