BATF rendered jobless?

BATF rendered jobless?
Deccan Herald

The State Government may or may not revive BATF. But at least one thing has become certain: It will not have much to do about Bangalore even if it is revived, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

For, the Government has decided to set up a separate task force to work on ways to ease traffic congestion, which is perhaps the most challenging problem being faced by Bangaloreans.

In fact, it was Bangalore Agenda Task Force, set up during the S M Krishna regime, which had been chalking out plans to improve civic services in the city, including traffic. Besides, it was authorised to ensure proper coordination among all utility providers of the city.

“Even if BATF is revived, there will not be much to do. City planning is an integrated approach. There cannot be a separate task force for each one of civic issues,” one of the former BATF members told Deccan Herald.

The functions of the new task force included widening of roads, shifting and setting up of new bus stops, building new flyovers and taking steps to remove several other obstacles causing traffic congestion in the city.

The new task force also has the task of co-ordinating with educational institutions to have common transport facilities. Interestingly, BATF had taken the initiative to introduce such system with the help of police.

When contacted, former BATF member V Ravichandar said that none of the former BATF members are the part of the new task force. “But it is good to learn that the Government has initiated a step to chalk out an integrated planning to ease traffic congestion,” he added.