Meeting with BMRDA officials

As you might be aware, there are a number of planning decisions that are
currently underway that significantly impact Bangalore’s development and quality of
life. There are many areas where it is critical that we get aware and involved
and give feedback to the decision-makers in government. Five critical ones are:
• The Revised Comprehensive Development Plan 2004
• The introduction of the Transfer of Development Rights in Karnataka
• The BMRDA’s plans for a metro-rail
• The Outline Development Plan for BIAPA
• The Greater Bangalore Water and Sanitation Plan

It is time we start discussing these developments in a meaningful manner so
that we may give collective and focused opinions and practical suggestions.

Where are our planners? Is it that we don’t have any or that we are so
disinterested? Saying that “it is no use” is not a good enough excuse. It is easy to
hide inaction behind cynicism. It is quite damning when the Secy., UDD says that
the TDR Act invited no opinions, or that the BIAPA ODP have only the developers
interested enough to visit the BMRDA office, or that there has been utter
silence on Bangalore’s proposed Metro rail.

What can we do? Plenty, in my opinion. At the least we will get informed.
Let us start with the BIAPA ODP which has a 3 week timeline within which we
need to give our opinions. A meeting with the Commissioner Mr.Agarval and the
joint director Mr. Mahendra, BMRDA has been set up.

Details are as below:
Date: Saturday, 16th of October 2004
Time: 12.00 pm
Location: BMRDA office located at the corner of Ali Askar road and Millers road

I invite any of you who is concerned enough about his or her city to respond
and participate in making a difference.
Please confirm your presence via email or telephone.
For further clarification you can contact Mr. Deepak at Janaagraha


Swati Ramanathan
CoFounder, Janaagraha