ABIDE by the scheme

ABIDE by the scheme
Nina C George
First came BATF, then ABIDe. Yet the City is more deeply mired in a morass of urban woes. Metrolife figures out where exactly they stand in Bangaloreans' scheme of things


Bangalore is an eternally optimistic city. Never mind that its dreams die every five years. The City sure knows the truth: dreams are essential for only they can help transcend its warped reality.

Every new government spins a fresh dream for the City. If S M Krishna swore by the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) to transform the City into Singapore, the B S Yeddyurappa regime has unveiled the Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) as a panacea for its water, traffic and infrastructure problems by 2020.

But between BATF and ABIDe, the list of Bangalore's banes has only grown: Unending traffic snarls, drainage system in shambles, perennial water shortage... Do Bangaloreans still hope that these schemes will leave them any better? Or are all these mere claptrap?

"Public memory is short-lived, so people need to see something concrete to be able to have faith in the government. Instead of talking about large investments, if the government can adopt two traffic corridors — Hosur Road and Peenya Road —and ease the traffic jams on them, then people will support government initiatives to the hilt," suggests Mohandas Pai, Board member of Infosys.

But isn't there a ground to people's skepticism? "Something drastic has to be done. The focus should be on outcomes rather than claims," says V Ravichandar, Chairman of Feedback consulting and former BATF member, who thinks transparency is the key to realising the goals.

But with so many agencies like the BBMP and the BMTC around where do these initiatives stand? "These initiatives only act as a catalyst to the regular services. In any mega city there must be coordination between the many agencies to enhance participative planning," suggests A Ravindra, former chief secretary and member, ABIDe.

Janaagraha co-founder Ramesh Ramanathan says any vision must be backed by political determination to be successful. He says he's an optimist who would rather see a glass half full than half empty.


ABIDe comprising of a host of experts drawn from different fields has been formed to address and solve Bangalore's infrastructural problems. We will handpick the problems and solve them one by one. We will work hand in hand with other agencies. Within five years we will make Bangalore a better place to live in.

B S Yeddyurappa
Chief Minister

ABIDe is an institutionalised and permanent platform, which hopes to fulfil its objectives regardless of which government is in power.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar
MP and convener
of ABIDe

People speak

Every new government makes tall promises but does little to better the City. Hosur Road, the route I take to work every day, is as chaotic as ever. I hope the government will speed up development in the City.
Adrian Dass, senior manager Corporate Communications, TVS Motor Company

We need initiatives that work independent of the political party in power. These projects must not depend on the change of government.

Prathima Murthy,
professor Psychiatry,
NIMHANS

Traffic in several parts of the City still remains unruly but I must say that the City is in a much better position than what it was a few years ago. Those envisioning a better Bangalore will have to work overtime to realise that dream.

C Srikanth, a resident