Road widening at what cost, ask NGOs

July 11: Civic activists who are opposing BBMP’s proposed road widening project, have called for a socio-economic survey of the chosen roads to check if they really need to be widened. According to them, the survey is needed as a lot of people would be deprived of their livelihood by the project not to mention those who would lose their property.

Spearheading a movement against the project, members of Hasiru Usiru who were joined by other NGOs, took up an awareness campaign in East Bengaluru on Sunday. Pamphlets were distributed among vendors and residents in Shivajinagar, Chandni Chowk, Dharmaraj Koil Street and Devang Hostel Road.

The BBMP has taken up the widening of 46 roads in the second phase of the project which will see about 35,000 properties wiped off from the city’s map. The widening has already invited criticism with those affected, complaining that BBMP has not adhered to the laws which are applicable to a mass relocation.

According to the pamphlets distributed by the NGOs, the road widening can be avoided if other solutions are found. “Why should 78 lakh people in the city lose their green cover because the privileged 10 lakh will not stop using their cars? Why should street vendors who provide much needed and cheaper access to food and other consumables, lose their livelihood? Why does Peter need to lose his house because Paul wants to drive a car? Isn’t road-widening an unjust solution?” asks Vinay Sreenivas from Hasiru Usiru.

Members of the NGO are planning to conduct a pilot survey of a few listed roads to study the impact. The survey will look at what happens to the roads once they are widened and the trees are gone. “An entire avenue now bustling with activity with vendors, buyers, pedestrians and cyclists jostling for space, will become a bare stretch for cars and other vehicles. The government must initiate a study to see what kind of change residents and shopkeepers will face after they lose their property and business,” a members said.

The project could permanently damage the city’s green cover, said another member. “When we can launch a 12,000 crore mega project like the Bengaluru Metro, can’t we not build simple cycle lanes for our cyclists?,” he asked.