METRO vs breathing space

METRO vs breathing space
Activists, Experts Say Parks Can Be Saved If Plans Are Altered And The Tracks Are Taken Underground
Jayashree Nandi | TNN

Bangalore: Several Bangaloreans have been up in arms against the Metro project that is leading to hundreds of trees being felled and parts of heritage sites like Lalbagh coming under the bulldozer. But is it now possible to roll back plans?
Environment groups are demanding the Metro be taken underground like in parts of the city like Avenue Road, in front of Vidhana Soudha, at Lalbagh and other areas, so that no more trees are affected.
BMRC MD N Sivasailam has preferred to keep mum on the issue. “I will announce our plans after elections. I don’t want the Metro to be an election issue. We will talk after the polls.” Experts, meanwhile, say it is feasible to have alternative plans.
Says infrastructure consultant Binod K Bhartia: “Everywhere around the world, the Metro is underground. In London, built over 100 years ago, and in Shanghai where there are huge skyscrapers and buildings, the Metro is underground. The technology is there. It could be more expensive but we are not aggressive enough with exploring options. At least under open spaces like Lalbagh and Chinnaswamy Stadium, huge Metro junctions can be built. Three to four Metro lines can meet there.”
CITIZEN PROTESTS
Two big citizen-driven protests have already been held, demanding that eco-sensitive zones of the city like parks be spared the axe.
Members of environment group Hasiru Usiru had filed an RTI petition. The response stated 323 trees will be cut on R V Road; no permission has been sought. A part of the detailed project report says that an alternative route can be formed along Jayanagar 11th Main towards J P Nagar. Portions of Cubbon Park and the Indira Gandhi Fountain Park will also be affected.
“Our first question is why did they not consult us? Or have a public meeting before starting construction? It is a violation of the Karnataka Parks, Playfields and Open Spaces (Preservation and Regulation) Act. They will have to amend the Act. Besides, heritage sites like Lalbagh have been here since Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali’s times. How can the Metro demolish them?” asks Hasiru Usiru activist Vinay Sreenivasa.
LOSS OF PUBLIC SPACE
“What are we leaving behind for our children? The trees are our lifeline. Bangalore is becoming hotter. Our micro-climate is severely affected. If these green shelters are also taken away, the city will just be a concrete jungle. I am protesting to save Bangalore,” says citizen Bina Krishna, who participated in a protest — Save Nanda Road, Save Lalbagh — staged by more than 200 citizens. The protesters formed a human chain and had a candle light vigil. Meenakshi Seshadri, Congress candidate Krishna Byregowda’s wife, supported the campaign on his behalf.
Says Alternative Law Forum advocate Prashant Iyengar: ““It is not true, as they say, that only a portion of Lalbagh will be affected. There are going to be two stations there and a mall and of course parking space. What will remain of the park?”
BJP candidate H N Ananth Kumar said Lalbagh will be protected at any cost.
PERMISSION NOT OBTAINED
“With construction at Lalbagh, there is no illegality. Both Cubbon Park as well as Lalbagh are covered under the Parks Act. But the government has promulgated an ordinance clearing the construction. It will be presented in the next season when it has to get the assent,” says Iyengar.
According to the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, for any alteration in land use, stakeholders including the public have to be consulted. No such consultation has taken place. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report had not factored in trees being felled on such a massive scale. A unique thing is even if the land is acquired, for every tree to be cut the permission of the tree officer has to be obtained. In this case, the permission hasn’t been granted yet, he adds.