Widen roads, but...

Widen roads, but...
Widened roads are welcome, as long as they also spare us worries over land acquisition.

Widened roads are welcome, as long as they also spare us worries over land acquisition. That summed up the contention of the residents, who are bracing for Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)’s road-widening initiative on Bellary Road, Tannery Road and Dr Ambedkar Road.
People who reacted to the project on Sunday told Deccan Herald that widened roads should also be complemented with adequate parking space, underpasses and footpaths. The Palike has invited applications for grant of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) from owners of properties that come on these roads. The project proposes to widen the three roads to a width of 24 metres.
Residents and traders who run their businesses along the road said they didn’t mind losing their properties to the widened road, but stressed on the requirement of “appropriate” compensation. They added that the lack of parking facilities and foothpaths in the neighbourhood has been plaguing the roads for long.
Traffic snarls, accidents, air pollution and sound pollution are a common feature on Bellary Road. The road fails to accommodate vehicles as all types of vehicles jostle for space. This has adversely affected the business as well, traders said. Vehicles are parked right in front of shops as there is no parking facility, making it all the more difficult for pedestrians.
Businessmen and residents on Tannery Road and Dr Ambedkar Road echoed similar views. The two roads are congested. Motorists park their two-wheelers on the roads as the footpaths are used by small-time traders. “We want appropriate compensation for sacrificing our property. The BBMP should provide alternative land for us if possible,” they said.

Officially Speaking
We have just invited applications to grant TDR from property owners. It may take some time for us to get the response. Once we go through the applications and review the same, things will be clear. We have identified 85 roads for widening. The work will take place in a phased manner. We will cover 40 roads in the first phase while the second phase will recover 36 roads. Priority will be given to the roads that come in heart of the City.
— Krishna Reddy,
Chief Engineer, BBMP

“Bellary Road needs to be widened. Accidents are a regular feature on the road as all types of vehicles jostle for space. Too much of noise, pollution and congestion have been adversely affecting business.”

— Sukesh, Baker, Bellary Road


“We are happy that the BBMP has decided to widen the road, but widening work should be completed as early as possible. Along with widening of the road, enough space should be identified for parking of vehicles. Residents are facing problems due to sound and air pollution because of congested roads and vehicles.”

— Ramesh, Resident,
Bellary Road

“Road widening is the need of the hour. It will certainly put an end to traffic woes. Alongside road widening, construction of subways, underpasses and footpaths should be taken up. There should be enough space for parking of
vehicles. The government has huge land in the area and the same should be utilised instead of acquiring private land for the purpose.”

— Mahadeva Swamy Y,
Veterinary inspector, Ganganagar.

“More than one lakh vehicles of all types pass through the road. Traffic police have huge tasks due to regular traffic jams and accidents. But the road widening project should be such that it will be helpful for all for over the next 30 years.”

— H N Siddappa, Traffic Police Inspector,
Hebbal traffic police station

“Congestion on Bellary Road has affected prospects of the businessmen. Everyone knows that widening of the road is the only solution. But parking facilities and alternative arrangements should be made for petty shop keepers. The project should be completed within the stipulated time.”

— K B Khayoom,
SBI employee, HMT Bhavan

“Where should we go if our land is acquired and shops demolished? We don’t oppose road widening, but such a project should not hit our business prospects. The BBMP should rehabilitate, give enough compensation or provide land in some other area.”

— Abhishek, Wine shop owner,
Tannery Road