We had highlighted earlier how the KRDCL is executing its RING OF DEATH in and around Bengaluru (Surrounding Roads Proj), widening existing roads, and felling centuries old grandmother trees, which will serve no real purpose, except increasing the traffic in these areas by induced demand, and further deteriorate the conditions of the areas adjoining these roads. This project needs to be frozen or cancelled. It is uncalled for and unscientific.
DUE TO THE FAILURE OF AUTHORITIES to build a proper REGIONAL MASTERPLAN, organisations like KRDCL are running riot on our natural environment and desecrating them at will, driven by political pressures and the lure of the Timber Mafia profits!
On January 22, 2023, 'The Hindu' reported that the BBMP Tree Committee has permitted the felling of a further 800 trees, which are largely old grandmother trees. It will take centuries to grow, and no matter how many saplings we plant to replace them, it will never be enough! The trees need to be saved and not allowed to be felled!
As a planning anomaly, the road is a State Highway (in existence before Bengaluru city expanded to include these areas. Now that it falls within a crowded city area, the road needs to be downgraded to a city road, and highway traffic must be banned on this road. And the National Highway 648 runs parallel and in close proximity, there is no reason for this road to remain a highway any more. All Highway traffic need to be diverted to NH 648.
This itself will reduce most of the congestion. Instead of taking a planning approach to the problem, the KRDCL is going around murdering the trees of the city! As long as our officials behave with such ignorance, as long as Bengaluru doesn't have a Planning Authority (MPC), and as long as Bengaluru suffers from the lack of a holistic Masterplan, this city is destined to be ruined by the vested interests and unplanned growth!
Even if road expansion is pursued, KRDCL could maintain the tree line as a median, and build new road expansion on either side of the tree lines. Instead of acquiring land on either side of the road, it can acquire land on just one side of the road, maintain the tree line, and build new lanes on the other side. And ensure that the trees are saved!
BBMP TREE COMMITTEE needs to direct all road construction to follow this approach and save full grown and grandmother trees!
Dear Bengaluru Development Minister,
- Please ensure elections to the MPC immediately, quickly do capacity building to appoint qualified and experienced Urban Planners and Transport Planners to the MPC, and issue a credible Masterplan as soon as possible, following due process as per law, specified in 74th Amendment, so that we can arrest the free fall of Bengaluru into ruins!
- Please freeze all non-statutory and non-plan development.
- Please freeze all projects that have violations under various laws.
- Please cancel RMP 2015, and do not allow any projects listed under it.
Please Save Bengaluru!