Although the ministers seem to differ on whether or not roads in the city will be widened, Bangaloreans appear to have evolved a consensus in the matter. Many say they will continue the agitations they have planned against widening projects.
Two ministers, both in charge of Bangalore, have expressed radically opposed opinions, leaving the general public quite confused.
While Katta Subramanyam Naidu says the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is here to stay, R Ashok issued a statement that road widening is no solution; that the 200-odd roads that are listed for widening would be reviewed.
“The ministers are only causing unnecessary confusion,” said VN Rajshekar, joint convenor, Save Bangalore Committee. Rajshekar added that if the issue is an official matter, it is better communicated either as a statement on the floor of the house or as an official order.
Dr Rajan, member, Save Sankey Road and Park, said, “Reading these reports, there is likelihood that people will get the false impression that road widening has been stopped. That is clearly not the case.”
K Basappa, general secretary, Hanumanthnagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said, “After all, these are the words of politicians. And they are renowned for changing their stance, depending on the context. We will not believe what they say.”
Unlike the ministers, however, leaders of associations and members of the general public appeared to be quite clear about their stance.
“We will continue to mobilise popular opinion. Unless there is an official order, we will continue to hold public meetings and campaigns,” said Rajshekar. The sentiment was shared by Basappa: “We will continue our agitation. All our programmes will continue, as planned.”
Even as confusion emanated from the statements of ministers, many approached the office of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to get a clear picture.
“After seeing reports today, I had gone to the BBMP office. I met the executive engineer, major roads,” said ASN Kumar, core committee member, Dr Rajkumar Road Citizen Support Group.
Kumar said that the engineer had received no official communication in the matter. The road-widening projects would continue, unless an order is issued to stop it.
“If they really want to review the whole road-widening project, they should call us for discussions. If they want us to give feedback and offer suggestions, we are only too willing to do so. We could offer alternatives that could serve both to decongest the roads and save properties,” Kumar said.
Attempting to understand why ministers should speak with forked tongues, Dr Rajan said, “They have only put the whole project on hold. And it is likely that they will come up with some scheme to placate people with some compensation, so they can blunt the opposition to the scheme.”
Dr Rajan however added that the citizens need to be vigilant at times like these. “It is obvious that the government will not give up on the road- widening scheme, even though it is clear that there is great opposition to it.”
TD Srinivas, president, Sheshadripuram Residents’ Welfare Association, said, “We will wait for a week for written confirmation.
If that does not come, we will continue with our agitation, the Gandhian way. We won’t be swayed by mere talk. There has to be action to complement it.”
TN Chikrayappa, BBMP chief engineer, (major roads), said, “I did not receive any official notification. However, as per instructions received from the minister, we have stopped all work.”
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