High tide for anti-TDR wave

High tide for anti-TDR wave

Residents' associations from across Bangalore to strategise about options to fight road-widening in the city

Vaishalli Chandra. Bangalore



Have a grouse against road-widening? Head to NGO Hall, Cubbon Park, at 11am on Sunday to attend the Save Bangalore Committee's citizens' convention. "Road-widening is a city-wide issue and this convention is a way to bring all affected groups together," said VN Rajshekar, joint convenor, Save Bangalore Committee.
If your property is going to be affected by the road-widening project, then this may interest you, too. Although residents' welfare associations are fighting in their area, the convention is being held to "bring awareness among individual groups". Also, Rajshekar points out that: "Apart from being a common platform, we will gather to strategise what can be done to save the areas."
An overwhelming response during a rally on Friday has raised the group's hopes, with participation promised by welfare associations from Kamaraj Road, Tannery Road, Ring Road. "Since it is a 14.5-km stretch from Central Silk Board Junction to Mysore Road, there will be representation from each association," said Rajshekar.
Other areas that have confirmed participation are KR Puram, Kathriguppe Main Road, Avenue Road, Chamrajpet, Dr Rajkumar Road, Malleswaram Link Road, Sankey Road, Sadashivnagar association and Guttahalli. With an uproar against transfer of development rights (TDR), Rajshekar said: "It is the right time to form a city-level struggle committee."
The issue has impressed two eminent personalities, who have agreed to support the cause. Justice MF Saldanha will inaugurate the convention and Jnanpith awardee UR Ananthamurthy will be the chief guest. Other personalities who will attend the event are veteran freedom fighter HS Doreswamy, environmentalist Yellappa Reddy, LV Sriranga Raju, ex-chief engineer, BBMP, and urban planning expert George Kuruvilla.
There will be a one-hour public interaction. Rajshekar said: "We will also try to formulate a future plan of action."