Bidari chalks out plan for a better Bangalore

Bidari chalks out plan for a better Bangalore

Staff Reporter

Police to respond to emergency calls within five minutes; guidelines to be issued on handling cheating cases

Criminal cases to be filed against protesters who block road for more than ten minutes

Eateries in certain areas will get permission to remain open beyond restricted hours

BANGALORE: Criminal cases against protesters who block roads for more than ten minutes, police response to emergency calls within five minutes, feasibility study of additional office and residential space within a radius of three to four km of the Vidhana Soudha, permission for eateries and hotels to operate beyond the restricted hours based on necessity, and separate guidelines for the police to handle cases pertaining to cheating — these were among the plans mooted by Police Commissioner Shankar M. Bidari during two interactive sessions organised by the Press Club of Bangalore and the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here on Saturday.

Addressing members of the Press Club, Mr. Bidari said that everyone had the right to express their displeasure or protest, but it should not affect the rights of others. Hitherto, those who used to block roads were taken into custody and later let off.

Later, in his interaction with the FKCCI members, Mr. Bidari said the city police were working on reducing to five minutes the response time to attend emergency calls made to control rooms and it was likely to become a reality in next 15 to 20 days. At present, it takes 12 to 15 minutes for the police to respond or to reach those who seek help.
Legal provision

On allowing eateries and hotels to operate beyond the 11:30 p.m. deadline, Mr. Bidari said that legal provision would be made so that eateries and hotels not serving liquor could be kept open depending upon the need in areas such as bus stations, railway stations and factories.

He made it clear that discotheques would have to obtain licence on the lines of live bands. Mr. Bidari admitted that police and other government officers had patronised live bands which bribed them heavily to operate, flouting the law.

Referring to developments in areas around the Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Bidari said the feasibility of allowing more office and residential space within a radius of three to four km of the building would be studied.

Spaces such as Cubbon Park were likely to become “vehicle-parking area” when all the office spaces in UB City would be occupied, he said. Mr. Bidari favoured a joint inspection by the traffic police and officials of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to verify the space provided for parking in buildings with commercial space exceeding 10,000 sq ft.
Traffic solutions

Mr. Bidari said that the traffic police wanted the Railways to provide halts for important trains at Yelahanka, Chikkabanawara, Kengeri and Bellandur stations on the outskirts of the city so that influx of passengers to central parts would reduce.

He also said that the traffic police would soon identify intersections where flyovers, underpasses and skywalks had to be built on priority.

Satellite bus stations should be built at major entry points to the city, the Police Commissioner said.

Referring to instances of financial fraud, Mr. Bidari said that guidelines would be issued in this regard to police personnel on the lines of those issued in connection with civil and property-related cases.

Mr. Bidari said that he would not allow any organisation to indulge in extortion of money from businessmen and traders.