Bengaluru: #Tenderraddumadi; Big protest today

Bengaluru: After the massive #steelflyoverbeda protest against the construction of a steel flyover in the city some months ago, #tenderraddumadi against the proposed elevated corridors is gaining steam. A large number of people are expected to take part in the protest on Saturday.

Ahead of the protest at Mourya Circle near Gandhi statue, the Citizens’ Action Forum (CAF) hoped that the Bengaluru in-charge minister would conduct extensive and in-depth citizen, stakeholder and expert consultations. It suggested that the authorities do proper homework and research to fully develop sub-plans. “These need to be made available for public scrutiny before the start of any formal consultation process. We have seen enough examples of citizen consultations being done as just a tick-off in a box,” it said.

Public transport

CAF appreciated that the corridors in the drawings show dedicated lanes for buses. But to evaluate this functionality, the details of the interaction of the grade bus movements and commuter access with the corridor is necessary. Also, there is a need for a revamped BMTC bus route plan and infrastructure build up plan. Until this is pinned down, the first construction activity should not start. “The last thing we want is the indicated bus lanes remaining a drawing on paper,” it said.

Further, the CAF pointed to the loss of tree cover and its compensation. “Infra—structure projects like elevated corridor will have some element of tree loss. CAF is aware that the environmental agencies and clearances have asked for a 10 to 1 replanting. However, CAF reiterates that this is not just a numbers game and an exact nature and location of such replanting is required to fully understand environmental impact. Previous replanting plans and commitments across various infrastructure projects have fallen short or failed altogether. Authorities should convince us that this time it would be different. Once the location of replanting is decided, wherever possible, it should commence well in advance of any felling,” it said.

Activist Tara Krishnaswamy writes, “Bengaluru’s lakes burn, skies disappear! Dystopian double-decker flyover with 40-60-80-120 ft viaducts. 30,000 cr concrete hell to WORSEN TRAFFIC. Beku mass transit. #TenderRadduMaadi #Elevated corridor.”