More nays, few ayes!

More nays, few ayes!
Satish Shile
Deccan Herald interacted with the shop keepers on the road regarding the Palike's move to increase the width of the road to 30 mtr, from 21 mtr.


JC Road is notorious for traffic jams. Vehicles moving towards Hudson Circle from Minerva Circle are stuck at Rani Chennamma Circle (Town Hall Circle) for hours. Undoubtedly, it is one of the busiest roads in the City.

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has provided a parking lot for four-wheelers in front of the Town Hall. The public have to park their vehicles here and walk down. Barring a few establishments, no shops have space to offer parking area for the customers.

The sidewalks have been encroached by the shop keepers, thus making it difficult for the pedestrians to walk.

The hardware shops on this stretch display their commodities on the footpath. The Palike has decided to increase the width of the road to 30 mtr, from 21 mtr. Properties located on both sides of the road have to surrender a portion of their land, as the road is getting wider by nine more metres. It has already invited applications for transferable development rights from owners of properties facing the road.

Deccan Herald interacted with the shop keepers on the road regarding the Palike’s move. Hoteliers and owners of small shops have expressed their ire against the move. They feel, increasing the width will not solve traffic congestion. There are better options like constructing alternate roads, early implementation of Metro rail, etc. There are a few who have also welcomed the move.