‘Mass transport system needed’

‘Mass transport system needed’
Bangalore, DH News Service:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 12:00 [IST]

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) has received an unexpected support from the City based Environment Protection Institute, (EPI) based at J P Nagar.


EPI has supported the project saying it is necessary to address the issue of vehicular pollution, but has sought to replicate Lalbagh-like green spaces.

In a memorandum submitted to the State Government, EPI has said that the City is growing at a pace of 61 percent since past 10 years and is expected to cross 10 million population by 2012.

“ The flood of vehicles during the peak hours speaks of the space constraint in the City and a necessary alignment is the need of the hour and protesting against Metro rail is not justified, because what we need today is mass transport system to beat the pollution,” said Dr K Shivashankar, a former agriculture scientist and President, EPI.

He said that the BMRCL should immediately plant fresh saplings to cover up the vacant space after the trees are felled for the project.

“They should not wait, but have to dig sapling pits just when they are widening the roads or taking up the Metro project,” he added.

EPI, an organistion comprising of people concerned, from all walks of life, has however suggested to add greenery to the City immediately.

Greenery needed

“Considering the anthropogenic pressure, we need more greenery, where arboretums and mini forests have to be set up in various parts of the City, boulevards need to be re-established,” added Shivakumar.

EPI, a member of Mission Green Earth- started by United Nations to bring down the
global warming has also suggested to raise exclusive 50- 100 acres area with native and exotic plant species in the institutional campuses of IISc, IIMB, UAS, Jnanabharathi and NIMHANS.

Planting mandatory

Shivakumar also said that the BDA and BBMP should make two trees mandatory to be raised by the residents and a norm should be brought in to make terrace look green by planting shurbs, flowering plants and vegetables.