Plans to decongest Bangalore halted since 2017; residents slam politicians

A query using the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the government of HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah, the Congress-JD(S) combine sat on a Rs 56 crore B.TRAC proposal to decongest Bangalore since 2017. While there is no word on what the BJP government is planning to decongest the city, there are sporadic announcements by the BBMP about cleanliness campaigns, beautification drives, and concretisation of roads. However, none of these plans can decongest the city’s roads. While random footpath encroachments are removed in certain pockets of the city, most are not for the long-term, and many vendors and signboards are back on the footpath within no time.

Recently, a survey revealed that Bangalore is the most congested city in the world. While no plans are being made by any government, previous or current, the number of vehicles and city population continue to go up, making the situation worse. Bellandur residents are livid and tweeted to the persons responsible, including the current chief minister of Karnataka: “Congrats @BSYBJP @siddaramaiah @hd_kumaraswamy for this coveted tag for #Bengaluru. No UMTA, no data driven solution or vision. It will get worse as area like ORR-SarjapurRd grows with more unplanned offices without any mobility solution.”

The RTI data procured by the citizen groups, Whitefield Rising and Kasavanahalli Development Forum (KDF), reveals that while the government is earning Rs 396.96 crore from traffic fines, no money is being rechannelised to decongest traffic and enhance pedestrian safety after 2017. The data also reveals that the number of road deaths has come down from 816 in 2010 to 235 in 2019 due to B.TRAC measures from 2015 onwards. However, the monies stopped in 2017 and the department is helpless without funds ever since.

Says Sudarshan: “Data is to be used to fix problems. All we can see is it’s being used to fill treasury (coffers) instead of solve fundamental issues.” Adds Vikram: “This is just misuse of public money; instead, they can release money for public safety like street lights, building humps, installing CCTV cameras, no parking boards, putting zebra crossings and so on.”

Rupesh Lochan was even more categorical: “Harsh reality. Apathy with common citizens and voters. Result is there in front of everyone. Bengaluru becoming the most congested city across the world.”

One resident put it succinctly. “With Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) focussing on developing and winning Delhi, it’s time the other parties and governments understand the urgency of the situation,” says Jaideep G. “The voter is more literate now and will not be swayed by fake news and religious rhetoric. They want real development.”

Will the Yeddyurappa government of the BJP heed to these voices before it’s too late remains to be seen.