The on going metro project has run into rough weather owing to a proposed en route via Lalbagh which has resulted in cutting of the flora.
And all this happening in the name of public convinience. Local people and environment activist of "hasire usiru" fear it will affect the environment and lead to ecological imbalance.
Their main point of contemption is the fact that unlike other places Lalbagh is a park and there is scope for alternative routes. And their worst fear is that if lalbagh can be demolished today then it can be can place else.
The Metro if completed would have a minimum fare ranging from 25Rs to 100Rs for a daily pass. So the reason of public convenience does not stand tall. Also Bangalore is a small place compared to other metro cities. Therefore we could do well with our existing system. For e.g.: We already have circular railway lines running around the city. All it requires the implementation of dedicated trains for local transportation, increase the frequency. Finally create awareness that there is a system in place and also the cost effectiveness cannot be forgotten.
As per Govt rules every state must have a green cover of 33%, while our state has only 23% including the various plantations. Thus experts like Harish Bhatt(Scientist at IISC) say that the actual cover can be only up to 14% which is really alarming considering we have the western ghats as well. Also unlike other areas Lalbagh is covered under the Parks Act, so even if the govt has right to property, it still requires permission from the concerned department like forest dept to do any sort of work. But in this case no permission has been taken so far.
When compared to other metro in the world, none of them go on the ground whether it be France, United Kingdom or for the fact our own states like Delhi all of them of go underground. Infrastructure Consultants add that going underground is cheaper compared on ground metro.
While Senior BJP party leader and prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani during his campaign at the Second phase of polls said that he will not allow Lalbagh to chopped down at any cost but the work seems to have begun. Meanwhile local residents have been staging peaceful protests. But it looks like only delaying the inevitable.
The BMRC officials are mum on the issue citing elections and add that any explanation at this juncture could be used as political issue.
Similar issues has cropped up at RV road where 323 trees have been cut for the sake of metro and again without permission and also at other areas where the proposed metro is being routed.
Then at Palace Road near the Maharani College the road has been stripped of its palatial trees that were planted about 60-65 years and is being developed into a CONCRETE JUNGLE. This has resulted in the mutilated pavements, dug roads, cables all over resembling a war field. And the reason cited is the Traffic congestion. But this road is similar to the one at J.C. Nagar road leading to Mekhri Circle which is probably the most heaviest used intersection in the entire city. Yet it has a divider and no trees have been cut down. And inspite of Alternative routes leading to Majestic and Market via palace road they have cut down the trees.
So would the authorities give substantial reason for these projects in the name of public convenience. Why have these works been carried out inspite of numerous alternatives? Is there no scope for sustainable development? Are they planning to restore the green cover after the completion of the work? Whatever the reason may be, one should realize that trees give us life. So there is absolutely no excuse for deforestation in the name of development. There must be some restoration plans. Also if one looks at nations like France, U.K which handle similar traffic have a sustainable developmental plan where both nature and infrastructure go hand in hand. Let us hope atleast the remaining few trees do not become the victims of development.
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