The fight between the courts, government and green lobbyists has taken a toll on commuters in Bengaluru. The project to widen the roads around the Palace Grounds, the stretch of Jaymahal Road from Cantonment Railway Station till Mehkri Cirlce and further till the BDA junction, has been put on hold for two years.
As a result, it takes more than 30 minutes to cross a stretch of 2 km during peak hours. Two-wheelers are left with no choice but to ride on the footpaths, which are in a dilapidated condition. Garbage thrown on the roadside makes driving hell when it rains.
The delayed project is also affecting air travelers heading to the Bengaluru International Airport. Taxis and other vehicles use other roads to reach the Mekhri Circle, adding to the problems of regular commuters.
The BBMP, which is responsible for executing the project, has thrown up its hands, saying the issue is pending before the Supreme Court. “We have appealed to the Supreme Court through the Department of Public Administration and Reforms (DPAR) to complete the road widening. It requires 15.39 acres, which lies within the Palace Grounds. But both the state government and Mysore Royal family have moved the Supreme Court over the ownership of the grounds. Unless the Supreme Court gives us the green signal to acquire the land, we cannot complete the project,” said S. Somashekar, Chief Engineer, BBMP.
This is not the only hurdle that the project is facing. When the project was announced, environmentalists in the city protested against felling of trees along the Palace Grounds, and moved the high court, which has ordered BBMP not to cut any trees along the road. Ms Vishali Hegade, who has been appointed amicus curiae by the high court, said that the court is not against road widening, which cannot happen without cutting the trees. “But the court has asked the agencies concerned not cut trees indiscriminately. We are waiting for the next hearing slated for November 20,” she said.
The Department of Land Urban Transport (DULT) prepared an alternative master plan which did not involve cutting of trees. “A cycling track too was proposed along the stretch. But it was not taken seriously by the BBMP. In fact, the Palike created a Tree Authority, which had officers from the BBMP on deputation,” a civic activist said.