Bangalore signal free corridors suffer due to political apathy
Six months after the cabinet-approved construction of five signal-free corridors to reduce Bangalore’s traffic problem, the projects have yet to be initiated. Lok Sabha elections had earlier stalled the projects, and now political apathy has prevented them from taking off.
Tenders for two of the corridors – Dr. Raj Kumar Road and Old Airport Road, had been submitted two months ago, but contractors had been unable to begin work on these. Urban experts say lack of political will on the part of eight MLAs (whose constituencies the roads pass through) had impeded progress on the projects.
Local MLAs were supposed to have taken the initiative with regard to acquisition of land. However, they had clearly failed to do so, these experts pointed out.
R K Misra, urban expert and member of BBMP technical advisor’s committee, mentioned how any delay would only lead to an increment in cost. He said that the corridors had been approved by the cabinet in January 2014.
Mohandas Pai, Vice President of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) has recommended that everyone who is responsible should pitch in and get the work started. He said he had spoken to the chief minister about the same, who had assured that he would look into the Madras Road issue.
Source: The Times of India (Bangalore edition)
Bangalore Political Action Committee, Bangalore signal free corridors, BBMP’s technical advisor’s committee, Lok Sabha elections, upcoming Lok Sabha elections
