Bengaluru: A social and infrastructure impact assessment of the elevated corridor project done jointly a few city-based organizations has found that crores of rupees spent on white topping of various city roads may go down the drain.
A study by Bus Prayanikara Vedike, Citizens for Bengaluru, The Student Outpost and Bengaluru Suddi has revealed that at many points the white-topped roads will be dug up to make way for elevated corridors.
Vinay Sreenivasa, member, Bus Prayanikara Vedike, has pointed out that some stretches of Jayamahal and BTS roads are yet to be white topped and they are part of the elevated corridor. Hence it is prudent to shelve the white topping, if it ultimately has to be dug up, he added.
As a result of lack of coordination between various government agencies taking up infrastructure projects, BBMP took up white topping of roads, while Karnataka Road Development Corporation was tasked to execute the elevated corridor project, he said.
He also pointed out that the connecting ramps to the corridor will take away a huge chunk of the KSRTC office premises on Double Road.
Moreover in violation of various environmental norms, some of the pillars of the corridor will be built on Rajakaluve along BTS Main Road. It is violative of orders issued by NGT and Karnataka High court.
Hundreds of properties would also be acquired for the project under Package 3 of North-South Corridor, but the residents are still unaware.
Apart from Bus Prayanikara Vedike, Citizens for Bengaluru, The Student Outpost and Bengaluru Suddi were part of the assessment report.
The study pointed out that the development of large infrastructure projects in fully built cities pose many challenges.
Sreenivasa pointed out that in India only the environmental Impacts are studied, but the social Impacts of a project are seldom looked into.
“Since the government has not done the assessment, we have decided to do the same,” he said.
Lakes, playgrounds, places of worship, parks are likely to be affected. Further, communities likely to be displaced or otherwise affected by the project (shops, homes, street vendors and other street based workers) public spaces likely to be impacted.
The report pointed out that the maximum impact will be on BTS Main Road, where the existing road width is 12 metres. The proposed elevated corridor will be of 19 metres width and this will necessitate acquisition of properties on both sides of the road.
Impact on trees
The trees on both sides of the BTS Main Road will have to be cut. Similarly, given the presence of two ramps inside KSRTC office compound, many of the trees there are likely to go.
There are 60 trees in the KSRTC office and 214 on the road from there till Bannerghatta Road.
