Unrelenting BBMP; Local residents who are not allowed
Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್
Bengaluru: BBMP has started work on Sankey Road saying that flyover should be constructed to ease traffic congestion, for which the lake area will also be widened. The local residents are explaining with examples that the construction of the flyover will not make the traffic smooth, instead it will increase. However, BBMP, which is supposed to provide services to the citizens, is not asking...
The widening of the road above the city's prestigious Sanki lake and the construction of a flyover in addition to that work has been the subject of intense controversy. The local residents as 'Sankey Kere Tanda' (Citizens for Sankey) are saying no to this flyover and road extension. They are doing protest, rally every day. However, BBMP is saying that they will finish by building the flyover without giving up. The question has arisen as to what is the motive behind the corporation forgetting the courtesy of protecting the citizens and checking their demands and demands.
More than 50 heritage trees will be felled during construction of Sankey Road flyover. This causes the heritage trees to be uprooted. Traffic congestion will not be relieved by construction of flyover. Therefore, more than 25 thousand people have digitally signed and supported the signature movement organized by the Jhatka.org organization demanding 'no flyover'. However, BBMP says that some people want the flyover. The backers have not been disclosed.
'Bottleneck' on six sides from the flyover!
What does the 'Sankey Kere Tanda' say?
If the flyover is constructed, the traffic will increase from day one. The area of Sankey Lake is also reduced and there is a risk of flooding. Temperature, pollution increases in the surrounding areas. Due to the traffic, the traffic of vehicles around Sadashivnagar residential areas road and Poornaprajna School, around ground will increase. The footpath will be cut.
A letter has been send to Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai, Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwathtanarayan, BBMP Chief Commissioner to stop the project. Issues arising from this flyover have been submitted to DLT and BMLTA also.
What is in DPR of BBMP?
Along with widening of road over Sankey lake, construction of 995 meter flyover between Guttahalli main road and Sankey road through Bhashyam circle will reduce traffic congestion at junctions and reduce travel time, according to the detailed project report prepared by BBMP. Costs due to delays and traffic jams at junctions can also be reduced. Safe and smooth traffic will be possible at the junctions. The DPR mentions that accidents and minor collisions will be reduced.
Negative impact on the environment...
If a flyover is constructed on Sankey Road, instead of 58 trees, 85 trees will have to be felled. Also, more than 400 plants and trees will be damaged, according to Azim Premji University's 'Environmental Impact' report. 85 heritage and unusual trees will have to be felled in the flyover area. It has 34 species of trees. About 400 plants growing in this area, including the Sanki lake, will be indirectly damaged by the construction of the flyover. Prof. said that the growth of plants will be stunted due to digging. Harini Nagendra, Prof. Seema Mundoli and Vijay Nishant of Vriksha Foundation explained in the report.
According to this report, there will be five major negative impacts on the environment. As the green cover decreases, the amount of carbon increases. Air pollution increases. Unexpected adverse effects in the atmosphere will increase. Adverse effect on urban biodiversity. Biodiversity in Lake Sankey is threatened.
What do BBMP officials say?
It is necessary to construct a flyover along with widening of Sankey Road to ease traffic congestion. There is no change in this. We have made it clear in the court about Sankey Road widening. Now we have technically planned to construct the flyover. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath said that this is essential.
"If only road widening is done, it will not be of any use. So technically we are committed to construction of flyover and underpass. Many people are saying to build an overpass. Some say no. Technologically we are ahead. In a democracy, there will always be different opinions. Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) has also been informed about this flyover.
Leader of Sanki Road flyover, BBMP Engineer in Chief Prahlad, said, 'It has been started after obtaining permission from the government. This flyover is being constructed with foresight and vehicular traffic will be reduced. He said in the public meeting that there will be traffic at Kaveri Junction, so let's build a flyover there.
What do the locals say?
Traffic congestion will increase further. BMLTA has not reviewed this project. Also, the construction of the flyover in the 30 meter buffer zone of the lake would violate the National Green Bench (NGT) order. The project has not been discussed extensively with the citizens. A major concern is the weakening of the Sankey lake. Instead of constructing this flyover, alternative routes should be seriously considered. Heritage trees will be lost. Residents of Malleshwar, Sadashivanagar, Vaiyalikaval are of the opinion that the traffic will increase on many levels and the traffic will be heavy and the pedestrians including the elderly and students will suffer.
'Bommai Uncle Don't want flyover...'
About 2 thousand students in Malleswar, Vaiyalikaval and Sadashivanagar wrote a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai, saying, 'Bommai uncle... don't build the flyover. We will have no place to play. Traffic and pollution will increase.
What is the alternative solution?
According to IISC Traffic Systems Engineering Department Dr. Verma Ashis, traffic congestion can be reduced by 'Traffic Signal Timing Optimization'. This can save the cost of crores of rupees for the flyover.
Quotes...
Krishna Panyam, Malleshwaram Social
For too long, we have let our cities be mutilated by unscientific and unnecessary urban infrastructure projects like white topping, road widening and flyovers. For too long, we have let our public transport slide, forcing people to switch to private vehicles. It's time to bring the bus back to being the primary means of transport. Govts should discourage private vehicle usage by means of charging for parking, strict enforcement of traffic rules, bus lanes, even congestion pricing, etc. while simultaneously improving public transport. BMTC should get financial support to double its fleet and modernise its operations. Pedestrians, walking and cycling should be central to any urban planning. A majority of trips in our cities are short distances, and we should make our streets walkable.
Madhusudhan, Sadashivnagar Resident..
As a concerned citizen, I strongly oppose the proposed flyover and road widening project near Sankey Tank. Not only will it worsen traffic congestion, but it also violates environmental regulations and disregards the safety and well-being of the community. We need to focus on sustainable and inclusive solutions that benefit everyone. Let's protect our heritage, our environment, and our people by choosing a better path forward.
Lakshmi Sharath, Citizens for Sankey
We need more sustainable and long term solutions . Cutting trees , building flyovers and road widening is not going to solve the problems but they are the problems . We are just shifting the traffic points from one place to another , like in this case to Cauvery Magic Box which is a big blunder by itself . And these trees are our heritage and by cutting them , we are destroying our biodiversity.
Kimsuka Iyer, Citizens for Sankey
The BBMP and government have not followed due process for this Sankey Flyover project. We want our elected representatives to come up with long term, well thought out measures for our neighbourhoods and city, not these ad hoc projects. Our trees and lakes are our heritage. Bengaluru is a mess because we allow such projects to continue. Citizens have had enough, we refuse to allow this anymore. We are standing up for our right to a well planned city. With elections coming up, we are keen to see which parties are serious about these issues of urban planning, transport and mobility.
Preeti Sunderajan, Citizens for Sankey
The Sankey flyover project has been an eye opener and a wakeup call to me. Personally, this project made me realise the importance of public participation and civic activism in order to ensure good governance. From the time of the public announcement of the project, we have managed to garner the support of citizens around the area, to come together to form a group, Citizens for Sankey. As representatives of the area, we have been able to voice our protest against the unscientifically designed flyover that does not solve any of the traffic problems, but just shifts the bottleneck further ahead causing an entire network of roads to get further blocked. This project is planned at the cost of our heritage trees, birds, endangered animals like slender loris all being at risk alongside the lake. This is a huge loss to our heritage and what the city once stood for. A loss of our trees and heritage spaces is a loss of our cultural identity and way of life. It is absolutely necessary for us to look at a more holistic approach to sustainable mobility, get expert opinion and focus on a robust mass transportation system.
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