Bengaluru: Model Assembly better than real one? Finds solutions

Bengaluru: Imagine the difference a mock legislative session can make, where students can put forward their grievances concerning the city and experience how it is to be in a decision-making process. The Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike conducted a 'Model Legislative Assembly' session at the RBANMS First Grade College Auditorium, Ulsoor on Saturday.

The model assembly revealed that the biggest issues of Bengaluru– traffic and pollution – never get discussed in the Assembly. Tara Krishnaswamy of CfB said, “Bengaluru’s traffic problems are solvable. A debate on traffic by the city MLAs clearly shows that with public and mass transport must be prioritised and a shift from private to public transport must be incentivised to reduce congestion and pollution.”

Srinivas Alavilli of CfB said, “Bengaluru is facing a severe health crisis. We cannot hide it under the carpet and expect things to get better.  The 28 city MLAs must bring up the topic in the Assembly, rise above petty politics, make policy and show a sense of urgency to make Bengaluru breathe again. We conducted this programme to showcase model behaviour of our MLAs and ministers we expect to see and we hope that in the coming session, there will be a sincere and serious debate in the assembly.”

After the Speaker administered the oath, several ‘student MLAs’, representing Silk Board, Bellandur, Kengeri, M.G. Road, Kammanahalli and Ulsoor made opening statements voicing public opinion.

Vinay Sreenivasa, who played the role of Ejipura MLA and engaged in a debate with a student portraying the Bengaluru Development Minister, said, “When thousands of crores are spent on flyovers and ring roads which help private vehicles, why is the government hesitating to support BMTC financially?”  He said that if the government supports BMTC, as is done in other states, the corporation can cut fares and double the fleet, enabling more people to take buses.

After an intense debate on potential solutions for traffic and pollution, members of the assembly were convinced that we must try innovative experiments with public transport. While a multi-mode public transport is the top priority, suburban trains, the metro and buses take months or years to become operational. The solution that can have an immediate impact on congestion and pollution is to make bus fares lower.

The members concluded that a three-month pilot should be run with all BMTC bus fares reduced by half and measure the effects on congestion, pollution and costs. Based on its outcomes, long-term approach would be determined.

RJ Shraddha who moderated said in her concluding remarks, “The model assembly today showed that when MLAs come prepared with data and facts, and are willing to take bold steps, innovative solutions can be found.”