Bangalore is in a mess’

Bangalore is in a mess’
TEAM TOI


“It’s just not the airport, which other place in Bangalore is not congested?’’ It was the right platform for BBMP commissioner S Subramanya to explain the problems, solutions and hindrances plaguing Bangalore in a gathering which had all the stakeholders. From roads, to revenue crunch to violations to lack of civic sense, Subramanya covered a range of issues in a single breath.
While the discussion revolved around the airport connectivity issue, Subramanya highlighted the fact that apart from roads connecting the airport, other arterial stretches such as Infantry road, Cunningham Road, Nrupatunga Road and Kasturba Road are loaded with vehicles in peak hours and it’s difficult to cross these roads.
He offered a solutions too, but again, there were hitches. He said the traffic condition in Bangalore has to be perceived from three angles — how wide are the roads, how free are the roads and how good are the roads?
We have to move from vehiclebased approach to a people-based approach. For instance, people can walk up to 2 to 3 km. “But you will ask me where are the pavements? It’s in a bad shape. Pavements are occupied by hawkers...’’
And his parting shot — “Good civic life cannot be expected without good citizens.’’
Differences over distance
“It takes 45 minutes to reach the international airport from Vidhana Soudha.’’ This statement by Baligar riled the audience as well as panelists.
But the infrastructure secretary battled well. “How many of you have actually gone to the airport? Without going, how can you say it takes three or four hours? At best, it might take around an hour from Vidhana Soudha. The airport has not been made for just South and South-East Bangalore, but for everyone in Bangalore. Opinions of people saying it would take three or four hours from Gandhinagar (city centre) to the airport are exaggerated.’’
The moderator did a snap poll of those present to find out if they thought Baligar was right. The deafening silence prompted the moderator to say the majority thought Baligar was not right. Baligar retorted, “But the majority need not be right always.’’
Santosh Hegde chipped in: “Even with an escort it took me more than 55 minutes to reach RMV Extension from the new airport. And it takes me 35-40 minutes every day at around 10 am to reach my office near Vidhana Soudha. How can we reach the airport in 45 minutes, Mr Baligar?”



CELEB SPEAK
Better public transport and better, wider roads are the two things Bangalore really needs. Every time we see so-called solutions being implemented, they’re just spot solutions that alleviate the immediate problem. But no one seems to be thinking about a large, long-term plan. We need a realistic, holistic approach towards the planning of every aspect of this city if we have to get out of our current state.
Anita Nair Author