Mahanagar Bangalore - Urban Planning | Civic issues | Future Roadmap Thread

[engineer.akash]

Round and about - Soak in its old-world charm

The Hindu SUNNY SIDE UP: Scenic sunrises, sunsets and spotting of rare brids is characteristic to this neighbourhood. Photo: Murali Kumar. K


The neighbourhood fascinates nature lovers, morning walkers and photographers
Rajarajeshwarinagar, which was once a beautiful valley surrounded by hills, is today a bustling residential area with several schools, colleges, companies and nursing homes.

The area, south-west of the city, got its name from the goddess, Sri Jnaneshwari Rajarajeshwari, whose temple, constructed in the late 1960s, is located a kilometre from the imposing arch on Mysore Road. This arch was built by the temple trust and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Rajarajeshwarinagar is primarily divided into the Ideal Homes Township, BEML Layout, BHEL Layout and Pattanagere. The Ideal Homes Township, which was developed by the Ideal Homes Society in the late 1970s, is the first set of houses you will stumble upon on entering the area. The BEML Layout is dotted with parks, hotels, tree-lined avenues and shopping complexes, while the BHEL Layout mainly houses the employees of the company. Pattanagere, on the other hand, retains its old-world charm and is reminiscent of the Mysore of old. Rajarajeshwarinagar, which was once considered far away from the city, has become a much sought-after address, especially for those who want to escape city life. Sandwiched between the Bangalore University Jnanabharathi forest on the north and the Turahalli forest on the south, experiencing misty mornings and picturesque sunsets are a daily affair here. Since it was planned and approved by the Bangalore Development Authority, there are plenty of parks in the area. A 9-km-long Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor link road, which starts from PES College junction and stretches to Somapura junction, fences an entire section of Rajarajeshwarinagar.

CLUSTER OF VILLAGES

It's hard to fathom but Rajarajeshwarinagar was earlier a cluster of villages, namely Kenchanahallii, Pattanagere, Halagevaderahalli and Chennasandra. The main occupation of the residents was growing ragi. In the 1970s, groundnuts were grown near the Rajarajeshwari temple, and children often spent their time playing in the fields. Rajarajeshwarinagar became a full-fledged suburb by the early 90s, by which time most of the layouts had come up. The area is well connected by public buses and has also become a nerve centre for students and young professionals, having as many as six engineering colleges (PES, RV, GAT, RNSIT, JSSATE and SJBIT), a Teacher's Training Institute, the Bangalore University Campus, and the software technology park (Global Village).

The consequence has been the mushrooming of hostels, paying guest accommodations with bed and breakfast arrangements and good rental returns for house owners. Manipal Hospital and BGS Health City are the two major hospitals in the vicinity.

However the Vrishabhavathi, which was once a source of clear drinking water, is today contaminated with industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents from central and western parts of Bangalore. And work on ongoing projects at arterial roads like the Mysore Road and Outer Ring Road junction at Nayandahalli has led to traffic congestion and road blocks.

But this green pocket with its hilly terrain, spectacular sunrises and spotting of bush birds is so quaint that once you enter the imposing archway, those traffic snarls become a distant memory.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/...cle2694892.ece


One of the finest and most beautiful modern layouts of Bangaluru Love this layout

[engineer.akash]

Parking needs space research

G Manjusainath

The State capital, with highest vehicle population in the country, lacks a policy on the crucial issue thus denying it the Central funds to put up necessary infrastructure for parking. Mysore shows the way by putting in place a policy.

Two-wheelers parked choc-a-bloc on a City road. DH PhotosFor a City that is bursting at its seams with a whopping 42 lakh vehicles -- 12 lakh of which were added in the last three years alone--you would think a well-planned parking policy would be in place to streamline the maddening rush. But that is not the case, and what you have is an absolute lack of order on the roads, with the commuters and traffic police alike struggling to find space for regulated parking. It has been a free for all, with unauthorised parking agents ruling the roost.

Each year, an estimated three lakh vehicles are added to the City’s traffic. While the traffic police are opting for one ways and widening of roads at the cost of trees, the problem of addressing parking has taken the backseat.

Take the case of Jayanagar. Hotels that have mushroomed in and around the area have added to the parking woes. Once known for wide roads with enough space for parking, Jayanagar is gradually slipping into chaos. Banashankari Junction is another example where shopkeepers and their customers park their vehicles on the road, adding to the congestion.

Half of the road in Yaarab Nagar is occupied by the motor mechanics choking traffic flow. Lack of a parking mechanism has led to a pellmell in Gandhi Bazaar. The case of Chickpet market is the worst among all. Vehicles parked on both sides of the road constricts the already congested streets. Traders at Chickpet are also not happy. A local trader, Gyanchand Jain said the scene would have been different if the parking arrangement at the KR Market was improved. And these are just examples.

It may be hard to believe that Bangalore, which was never meant to be a metropolitan City, today has the highest vehicular population in the country, and lacks a parking policy. Unlike other cities of its size, anyone can park anywhere in Bangalore, and get away without paying any fee.

The JnNURM solution

Lately, the State government woke up to find out a solution. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), the Centre allots funds for the cities to build infrastructure for parking space. The assistance comes with several riders. The Centre wants the State to have a strong and working parking policy, that mandates a price for parking vehicles at public places. To avail the Central Fund, the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) of the State government has come out with a parking policy for Bangalore too.

Some of the contents of the parking policy is congestion tax, involving private players to build multi-layer car parking complex, regulation of on-street and off-street parking, hiring empty sites on rent for parking, developing autorickshaw stands, constructing truck terminals and zoning system for collecting parking fee.

“The guidelines for collecting fee can be prepared if the BBMP Council passes the parking policy. There are suggestions for certain corrections in the policy, which we are working on,” says a BBMP Engineer Basavaraj Kabade.

What is more interesting is that there used to be some mechanism to collect a parking fee before 2006, but suddenly the system was abolished. Now the Palike says it is working on it.

Manohar H N, a commuter, said parking in thickly populated places and Central Business Districts like Chickpet and Avenue Road is a big challenge.

“Because I know places where I can park vehicles in busy areas, I do not face too much problem. But I have seen people facing tough time to park vehicles. There must be some arrangement like multi-layer vehicle parking in densely populated and commercial areas,” says Manohar. He was, however, not in favour of parking fee in the City.

Policy imperative

A senior BBMP officer, requesting anonymity, said the Palike can demand money for the multi-layered car parking (MLCP) from the Centre only if there is a parking policy. Under JnNURM, the City can get 50 per cent of funds from the Centre, 15 per cent from the State and the rest by the civic body. In its policy, the Palike has proposed automated MLCPs at 23 locations and to utilise parking space at Gandhi Bazaar, Freedom Park and some other open spaces.

Even though the State capital is yet to implement a parking policy, Mysore has already adopted a parking policy and become eligible to draw Central funds.

Shailendra Singh, Special Officer, DULT, emphasises that a parking policy for Bangalore is a must to guide the off-street parking than on-street.

“There are many recommendations in our policy including zoning system to collect parking fee. Now it is up to the BBMP to decide when and how it would pass a resolution related to the parking of vehicles,” says Singh.

However, the policy seems to be caught in conflict of interests and its fate is hanging in balance.

While on the one hand, the City needs a parking policy to decongest many important roads, the ruling BJP in the BBMP as well as in the State is not keen on implementing the policy for one strong reason.

“Our policy is clear. We don’t want any parking fee. Parking in the City should be free of cost. We do not want to bring back a system we had fought against some years ago,” says, Deputy Mayor, S Harish.

He says the Palike has plans to end the parking woes, which includes parking space beneath the playgrounds.

However, Ashwin Mahesh, a member of ABIDe Task Force says the time is ripe to have a parking policy according to which people should not be allowed to park vehicles at public places without any fees. “Parking at public places should be used for private benefit. If it is allowed then there should a mandatory price for it,” he adds.

[avinash2060]

A skywalk with an escalator, an elevator and perhaps even a café on the Inner Ring Road in Domlur may not be far from becoming a reality if the Palike allows the Embassy Property Developers to have its way.

The design and plan for the skywalk, set to come up opposite Dell India office on the Inner Ring Road, was presented by Embassy Property Developers before a few officials of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike at Hotel Leela Palace on December 28.

The Rs 5.5-crore project, to be entirely funded by the private builder, also includes beautification of the area beneath the Domlur flyover into a garden-cum-recreation space at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The skywalk will have an escalator and an elevator on both sides of the structure that will provide access to the top, apart from a spiralling emergency staircase.

Amit Ahuja, Manager (Corporate Affairs), Embassy Developers, told Deccan Herald that a Singapore-based firm had been chosen to implement the design of the project.
“The entire cost of the project will be borne by us and the BBMP has no role to play in it. This will make it easy for the Palike to allow the project,” said Amit.

Part of the project involves planting 12 different varieties of trees. The landscape design concept submitted by the Embassy group shows a parking space for 30 vehicles, entry-exit gates, sculptures, bridge-over-nala, water features, lawn and recreation spaces.

However, the bone of contention between the BBMP and Embassy is the advertisement rights and a few other trivial issues.

B T Ramesh, engineer-in-chief, BBMP, said: “While Embassy wants a minimum 10-year advertisement rights on the hoardings on the skywalk, the BBMP is yet to accept the proposal. The Palike is figuring out if it can do so on a revenue-sharing basis.”

Officials in the BBMP claim one faction is strongly opposed to the idea of escalators for skywalks. They feel such structures will pose risks to users — senior citizens slipping and falling while climbing; and saris, skirts and lungis getting stuck in the escalator.
Domlur corporator Geeta Srinivas Reddy says projects, which beautify the area and help pedestrians and residents, should be encouraged.

“I was very keen on implementing this project in Domlur. Now, all that remains to be solved is the ad rights, which the BBMP will have to decide in one of the council meetings,” said Geeta.

The corporator feels the Palike should relax rules for private firms which come forward to build such projects for the benefit of the people.

According to Embassy, the project will be completed in about seven months once the BBMP gives it the green signal.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...up-domlur.html

[uno.piyush]

They feel such structures will pose risks to users — senior citizens slipping and falling while climbing; and saris, skirts and lungis getting stuck in the escalator.

[gentem]

I can’t take on corporators: Municipal corporation chief
TNN | May 23, 2012, 06.05AM IST

BANGALORE: Nothing can define the piecemeal contract mess better than this: the BBMP commissioner's helplessness.

On Tuesday, MK Shankarlinge Gowda said he cannot take on corporators and politicians. When his attention was drawn to the list of 101 piecemeal works to be taken up by contractors in Chokkasandra, Rajgopalanagar, Hegganahalli and Peenya Industrial Area instead of giving them under e-procurement, he shot back: '' Why are you asking me? Questions on piecemeal work must be addressed to the mayor and corporators. It is not easy to stop this and I can't take on corporators and MLAs. I am aware there will be hanky-panky in these but at least some work will happen. If I stop them, they allege the commissioner hasn't done any work. This is a limitation and we have to work amidst it,'' the BBMP chief told TOI.

On Tuesday, the Palike published a list of 101 piecemeal works and invited tenders from registered contractors. It has been alleged that an unspecified number of core works has been split into piecemeal works to evade e-procurement. Rules say that if a core work costs more than Rs 20 lakh, it must be covered under e-procurement . To evade e-tendering , contractors used to split the work and ensure they were estimated well below Rs 1 lakh, the limit two years ago. In e-tendering , contractors make sure their own cartel participates so that there is no competition while bidding. However, in e-procurement , any eligible contractor from any part of the world can bid and get qualified in the global tendering process, which the contractors avoid.

BBMP scam probe

The government on Tuesday told the high court that a preliminary inquiry by the technical and vigilance cell will be a better option than asking an agency to probe alleged irregularities in 26 engineering divisions of BBMP. The government advocate told the court that entrusting the probe immediately will prove an exhaustive exercise in the light of no specific instances/allegations involving to these divisions.

TIMES VIEW

That the BBMP chief himself can't take on corporators shows the extent of the rot in the civic agency. It's an open secret that work tender means money. Contractor-corporator nexus in circumventing the e-tendering and e-procurement process for works defeats the purpose of transparency and accountability. BBMP must abandon the current practice of awarding piecemeal contracts which is synonymous with corruption. It should consider giving long-term contracts to experts to ensure quality of work and accountability.

Already bbmpt doesnt have money, moreover corruption but in a democracy bbmp commissioner should work as per orders of elected representatives, this can be challenged in court, but times view in this regard is rather misplaced..

[gentem]

May 20, 2012 at 12:34pm IST
Jayalalithaa writes to PM again on water dispute
CNN-IBN

Chennai/Bangalore: A day after raising the Cauvery water sharing issue, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday took on Karnataka over yet another river issue.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday accused Karnataka of planning to build check dams across Ponnaiyar River and sought the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to advise it against going ahead with the work.
"The Government of Karnataka has proposed to construct check dams and diversion structures across the Ponnaiyar River which is causing great alarm and apprehension in Tamil Nadu," Jayalalithaa wrote in her letter to the PM.

Noting that the river, flowing through Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore, was the "lifeline" of the people in these districts, she said it irrigates an ayacut of nearly four lakh acres.
"Any attempt to withhold the flows by constructing check dams and diversion structures across the river will be a serious breach of the existing Inter-State Agreement on this issue. I request you (PM) to kindly intervene and advise the Government of Karnataka to stop the execution of any check dams or diversion structures," the letter read.
"This will also be a body blow to the farmers of Tamil Nadu besides affecting the basic drinking water supply position", Jayalalithaa wrote in the letter.
She accused the Karnataka government of neither seeking the consent of Tamil Nadu nor furnishing any information about the details of the scheme as sought by the state. Tamil Nadu had urged Karnataka not to commence any work without its consent.
In her earlier letter to Manmohan Singh, Jayalalithaa had charged Karnataka with "unjustly utilising" Cauvery water and asked him to convene a meeting of the Cauvery River Authority to discuss the issue.
However, Karnataka has rejected her charge and opposed the demand for CRA meet, saying the state was ensuring release of water in excess of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's order.

State to seek Centre’s help for Pinakini project
P M Raghunandan, Bangalore, May 23, 2012, DHNS :
Tamil Nadu has opposed the plan

The State government decided to go ahead with the controversial project to utilise sewage water that flows in the erstwhile Dakshina Pinakini river on the outskirts of Bangalore for recharging ground water.

It has also sought the Centre’s assistance to implement it, despite strong opposition from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The State Minor Irrigation (MI) department has drawn up a Rs 42-crore proposal to implement the project under the Centre’s Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).

The lift irrigation project envisages filling of 29 minor tanks in and around Chikkaballapur and Hoskote towns, by diverting sewage water from Sameatanahalli tank which is part of the Dakshina Pinakini valley (also called Varthur valley), official sources said.

South Pennar river

Dakshina Pinakini river is known as South Pennar river in the downstream of Tamil Nadu.
The river dried up about three decades ago, and mainly sewage water generated from Bangalore city now flows in its valley.

This water is unfit for any use in Karnataka. But it is used for agriculture purposes in Krishnagiri and surrounding areas in Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka wants to utilise the water to fill up its tanks near the parched Chikkaballapur and Hoskote towns and improve the ground water table.

Jayalalithaa had recently written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to stop Karnataka’s plan.

She had alleged that Karnataka is taking up construction of check dams across South Pennar river and claimed that it would affect lakhs of people in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvnnamlai, Villupuram and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.

Objection

Earlier, Member of Parliament from Krishnagiri E G Sugavanam had raised objections against the project in Parliament during the budget session in March this year.

According to official sources, the MI department has proposed the project to be implemented under the AIBP based on the guidance of Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily, who represents Chikkaballapur in Parliament.

If approved under AIBP, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of the project cost, while the State will share only 10 per cent.

The MI department wanted to implement it using its own resources as per the original plan.

Sources said the Union Minister has taken keen interest on implementing the project, which will improve ground water table in and around Chikkaballapur.

Meeting

He recently held a meeting with the officials of both the State Minor Irrigation department and the Central Water Commission (CWC) in Bangalore and directed them to soon convene the high-level Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting to approve the project.

Technical Advisory Committee comprises officials of both State MI department and CWC.

Once TAC gives its approval, the project will be placed before the Centre seeking its assistance, official sources said.

This apart, Tamil Nadu in its reply to Sugavanam’s queries on the proposed project, the State MI is learnt to have clarified that it has no plans to construct any check dams.

It has also learnt to have said Dakshina Pinakini river no longer exists as it has dried up three decades ago.

[gentem]

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike may finally get its hands on Electronics City
TNN | Aug 1, 2012, 01.20AM IST

BANGALORE: The Silicon Valley of India is all set to come within the limits of Greater Bangalore. On Tuesday, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike council passed a resolution to this effect.

The entire Electronics City, including its three stages, will be added to BBMP's limits. Currently, the industrial hub is part of Anekal taluk on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The BBMP aims to mop up an additional Rs 300 crore as revenue through this move. "Villages such as Konappana Agrahara, Dodda Togur, Golla Halli, Balaji extension, Shikari Palya, Thirupalya, Neeladri Nagar, Bettadasapura, Huli Mangala, Govinda Shetty Palya, Krishna Reddy extension, Neo Town, Shanthi Pura, Veerasandra industrial area, Veerasandra village that are spread across the three stages of Electronics City will be added to BBMP limits," said M Nagaraj, BJP, who read out the resolution.

The issue was raised by Yediyur corporator N R Ramesh. "It's an area of 440 acres and has a built-up area of over 3 crore sqft. In order to evade paying tax to BBMP, Electronics City Industries Association had misguided the urban development department during the delimitation process in 2008. BBMP is providing basic amenities to Electronics City, but gets no revenue benefits," said Ramesh.

"Bangalore's largest mall-cum-township is coming up at Electronics City. Spread over 120 acres, the township is likely to house 139 retail units and residential units. While providing basics amenities for such townships, BBMP must get revenue benefits," he added.

The resolution witnessed no objection from opposition party leaders. "It's a welcome move. This should have taken place long ago. All those who commute to Electronics City for work are Bangaloreans. But the revenue benefits are being enjoyed by the village panchayats," said M K Gunashekar, opposition party leader.

The resolution will be sent for government approval and becomes operational only after getting its nod.

What BBMP gains

BBMP can mop up a minimum of Rs 300 crore from industries and posh residential units in and around E-city once it's added to BBMP limits. There are 187 IT/ITES companies in E-City.

Association speak

Ever since Keonics handed over Phase1of Electronics City 20 years ago, we have been managing the industrial area with minimal maintenance charges collected from companies. Companies are paying property tax to the local panchayats namely Konappana Agrahara and Doddatugur. ELCIA understands the requirements of companies with regard to housekeeping, estate maintenance, water, power, waste management and security and we have handled it well. Many national and international organizations have shown keen interest in our best practices. The state government should grant industrial places like Electronic City the status of industrial township under the state's law and promote proven self-governance.

-- NS Rama, CEO, Electronic City Industries Association