Bangalore and Signal Free Corridors

silkboard - 30-JUN-2010

Public transport die hards don't want any of this. Car lovers want them. But many believe that some solution is required in Bangalore to improve radial connectivity across ends of Outer Ring Road.

• BBMP has been trying to improve radial connectivity by widening some corridors, and planning more flyovers etc at busy signals.
• BBMP has tried doing this on Belary Road via Magic Boxes.
• Some people have proposed tunnel roads to connect CBD with Outer areas.
• BDA is converting Outer Ring Road to a signal free corridor
• CTTP 2007 had proposed long elevated roads above 4 key radial corridors.

Let us outline detailed posts on the subject under this book. This is a wiki post anyway, so if anyone wants to add more to this page itself, just edit it instead of adding comments.

BBMP Elected Corporator's Roles and Responsibilities

Chitra Amin - 24-JUN-2010

BBMP Elected Corporators celebrating their victories big way. Corporator in our area opened a new office and celebrated his birthday and new office inauguration on same day. With big posters around, loud music and huge tent, blocking the traffic on a road for one full day. No one complained. including me.. why? There is a fear that something may wrong with me/family if I complain... and nothing will happen to them.

Wonder what gives them this power.

While talking to my maid about the corporator, she said, Ma - they spend so much money on all this even part of it, if given to all those homeless people sitting near bus stop will save their life.. but who cares? It hurts and pains a lot inside... why are we "ordinary" and educated people just ignore this "Tamasha" happening around us? Can nothing be done? Isn't it time to wake up and check this out? Aren't Corporators responsible for helping the community instead of creating inconvenience to it? Where does this money come from? Who gave them rights to use Tax payer's money and "aam janata's" road? When this will stop? Will it ever?

Our Worshipfull Corporaters

psaram42 - 18-JUN-2010

Shri. S.K.Nataraj, Worshipful Mayor , No. 144, 12th Cross,3rd Main, Sarakki Grama, Bangalore-560078 Mobile : 9845013157

Kaggadasapura Lake Encorachment - Commendable work Mr. Mayor

psaram42 - 11-JUN-2010

From a newspaper report last week:

“Bangalore: Mayor S K Nataraj conducted a surprise inspection of Kaggadasapura lake on Wednesday and ordered for the immediate clearance/demolition of a road that was built across the lake. After the inspection, mayor said: “It was an informal visit to C V Nagar assembly constituency where I was alerted by the local MLA about the the construction of a road in midst of the lake. Instructions have been given to demolish the road and clear theencroachments.” 

Further

" ... Kaggadasapura lake is spread across 46 acres of land. While MLA S Raghu said he will fund Rs 75 lakh for fencing of the lake area, mayor vowed Rs 3.75 lakh for upgradation of the lake. Nataraj also visited Benniganahalli lake and Hosakere lake during his visit.”

Signal Free Corridor projects - need scrutiny (updated)

silkboard - 1-JUN-2010

Vinay S, an active member at Hasiru Usiru has obtained detailed information from BBMP on upcoming signal free corridor projects. Many people think that the project(s) need some serious scrutiny for the returns they promise on investments. Its one thing to make a relatively new road like Outer ring road into a signal free corridor, and another to talk about turning more than half dozen radial roads signal free without a clear plan for each and every interesction that lies on the way, or more important, without commensurate or alternate investments on public transport (like priority lanes for Big10 routes). Many feel that without such clarity, these corridor projects may end up being "bottleneck shifting" or "more parking space for free" projects.

Vinay has promised to mail over all documents he has obtained (will upload them here as soon as I get hold of them). We may need to scan and upload some sketches as well.

About Public Complaint Management Systems

Bheema.Upadhyaya - 6-MAY-2010

I just happened to create a single link for  online complaint systems for Bangalore utilities. Just to make it at one place for me to start with. Even though it is not user friendly, it brings all complaint forms together. 

Request prajas to use if found suitable. I may put some more effort if someone wants improvements.With my trial complaints with BBMP I learned following: (I have indicated this in earlier posts somewhere, but I repeat)

RWH compliance in BBMP ward # 58

psaram42 - 2-MAY-2010

 Smt Sumitra Vijaykumar is our corporater for Ward # 58. The newly formed ward # 58 has the old ward 74 area including 9^th main HAL III stage, where our house # 1669 is situated. Smt Sumitra is proactively working for the designated ward. She has organized a regular monthly meeting with the ward residents to take forward the well being of the ward as a whole. 

Mr. Vijay Kumar the corporater’s husband kindly accepted my request for a discussion on compliance of RWH by residents in ward 58. I found Sri Vijaykumar genuinely receptive to problems faced by us residents. 

I apprised Mr. Vijaykumar of what I have implemented at my house towards using the entire rainfall received at my 60x40 site for ground water charging, using a pre existing well. He inspected my premises in detail along with his gang. All were appraised in detail of what was done at my place. 

My actual agenda was in fact extending the RWH clause to BBMP. Mr. Vijaykumar was quick to see my point. Here is what I tried to explain:- 

Building bye laws

psaram42 - 26-APR-2010

 The comprehensive Building bye laws of 2003 available as a pdf document  is impressive which tries to set the rules in a professional way for preserving heritage Bangalore. However the BJP government thought in its wisdom that it is very stringent and some minor deviations are in the public interest. I built my house in 1986 fully complaint to the set backs specified, and some thing more than specified and built a duplex building exclusively for one family. However I built a toilet at a corner outside which was not as per the rule book. However such akramas are now Sakrama. This according to me is a step in the forward direction. 

Axe trees, says forest department

vinay_sreenivasa - 23-APR-2010

Axe trees, says forest department, by Imran Khan.

BANGALORE: In what could lead to wide-spread and indiscriminate felling of trees, the state forest department has recommended an amendment to the Karnataka Trees Preservation Act of 1976.The civic authorities in Bangalore especially have been crying hoarse for not being able to cut trees for “developmental” activities because of the Act. According to the recommended amendment, one need not seek permission from the forest department before axing trees.The Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, mandates that no person shall fell any tree or cause any tree to be felled in any land, whether it was in his ownership or otherwise, unless a permission was granted by the tree officer.The proposed amendment, which grants permission of felling of 42 species of trees in the state, has been pending with the state government for ....

BBMP's Good work

Bheema.Upadhyaya - 21-APR-2010

This is regarding one of the complaint I tried with BBMP. The idea was to both address my problem and to observe for the complaint management.

Here is the timeline : 

19-Apr-2010 Monday @14:20:02: Filed Complaint via Spandana , BBMP's complaint portal.

19-Apr-2010 @14.20.20 Received Complaint Number and Acknowledgement via SMS

19-Apr-2010 @16.34 I enquired status via SMS

19-Apr-2010 @16.34 Received status via SMS stating complaint has been forwarded to local staff and the ticket was assigned to specific department (Health) and it said "Informed to S.H.I phine number ending with 83956"

20-Apr-2010 @ 10.14  received a call from actual contract worker (Number ending with 87356) for part-1 of complaint. He could not not locate address.

20-Apr-2010 @ 11.00 contract worker arrives

20-Apr-2010 @12.15 part 1 complete. As I was away, he got "completed" signature from neighboring lady and informed me.