[Urbanstudy] Support an Appeal to Stop, Consult and Redesign Bangalore Metro

[ESGINDIA]

*Support an Appeal to Stop, Consult and Redesign Bangalore Metro *

23 April 2009

Dear Friends,

As India votes for a new Central Government, the city of Bangalore has 
been demonstrating democracy's true potential by coming out in large 
numbers protesting the destruction of the world renowned Lalbagh and 
Lakshman Rao Parks by the insensitivity and lack of care for progressive 
planning by the Bangalore Metro authorities. Pictures of the protests 
can be accessed at: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jace/sets/72157616949941876/

/Hasiru Usiru/, a network of organisations and individuals focussed on 
conserving public commons, open spaces and greenery in Bangalore, has 
successfully initiated a popular movement against the destruction of 
Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao boulevard by the Metro. Over the past week 
protestors have come out in large numbers throughout the week to demand 
public involvement in redesigning the Metro. More details at: 
www.hasiruusiru.org <http://www.hasiruusiru.org/> and www.esgindia.org 
<http://www.esgindia.org/>


All Lok Sabha candidates of Bangalore South constituency have endorsed 
their support for this stand. Pressed by public protest, Mr. R. Ashok, 
Karnataka Transport Minister has categorically stated he would instruct 
the Bangalore Metro officials to stop work forthwith. He has also 
assured that there would be no tree felling on the note that the 
Government would be willing to consider realigning the southern reach of 
the Metro. However, the Bangalore Metro authorities have intensified 
work on this reach, in total disregard of the Minister's assurances to 
the public.


The Metro is about serving the public for now and into the fuure. The 
public have had no role whatsoever in shaping the process of Metro 
design, alignment and development. This is in blatant violation of 
various laws and policies that mandate public involvement in decision 
making.


If the Bangalore Metro, a mega Rs. 9,000 crores project (i.e., per 
latest revised estimates approx. USD 2 billion), should truly serve the 
public, it has to be sensitive to public concerns about its adverse 
impacts on the city. To press for such transparent and wise approach, 
/Hasiru Usiru/ has initiated a signature campaign for an appeal to be 
presented to the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

We request you to kindly endorse this appeal by emailing 
esg at esgindia.org <mailto:esg at esgindia.org> or endorse online at: 
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savelalbaghfrommetro/index.html.

Thank you,


Leo F. Saldanha, Coordinator, Environment Support Group - a part of the 
/Hasiru Usiru /network

and

Vinay Sreenivasa, Volunteer, /Hasiru Usiru/





Mr. B. S. Yeddyurappa

Chief Minister of Karnataka


Respected Sir,


In the week before the General Elections - 2009, large numbers in 
Bangalore have come out in protest against the construction of an 
elevated track for the "Namma Metro" through Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao 
Parks. I/We join these protests, initiated by /Hasiru Usiru,/ and demand 
that the Government suspend all work on the southern reach of the Metro 
till such time it has duly consulted the wide public on viable and 
environmentally friendly alternatives.


All political candidates contesting the Bangalore South Constituency for 
the Lok Sabha have endorsed the position that Lalbagh should not be 
destroyed in any manner, considering its heritage status and unique 
features as a botanical garden. This is a welcome sign. Again because of 
the mounting protests, Mr. R. Ashok, Karnataka Minister for Transport, 
has stated in the media that he has asked the Bangalore Metro 
authorities to suspend all work on the Southern Reach of the Metro, 
including tree felling. He has further assured that the Government is 
open to realigning the Metro keeping in view public opinion after the 
elections. This is welcome sign.


Despite such assurances at the highest levels of the Government, 
Bangalore Metro officials have categorically stated that they will not 
suspend work, and would continue with business as usual. Dr. 
Ramachandran, Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development and 
Chairman of the "Namma Metro" has confirmed that there cannot be any 
change now in alignment as all approvals have been obtained from the 
State and Union Governments. He has also said that a zig-zag Metro is 
not feasible.


There are many disturbing aspects to these statements, and I/we wish to 
highlight these:

   1.

      _Undemocratic approach to issue Ordinance_: It is a fact that the
      Government of Karnataka took a very undemocratic step of issuing
      an ordinance on 22 November 2008 to amend the Karnataka Parks Act
      to allow a portion of the world famous Lalbagh gardens to be used
      for a Metro station. Such an issue should have been first debated
      in public and also in the Legislature. There have been four
      Legislative Sessions since June 2008, and not once was this issue
      tabled for discussion. To instead choose to issue an Ordinance on
      such a sensitive issue is nothing short of a betrayal of
      democratic traditions and the right of the people to know and
      participate in decision making.


   2.

      _If zig-zag alignment is not feasible, then why have a zig-zag
      alignment at all_: Dr. Ramachandran's statement that a Metro line
      is not feasible if it goes zig-zag is contradictory to the defense
      of Zig-Zag alignment for the southern reach of the Metro. As now
      proposed, the southern reach from K. R. Road runs through Vani
      Vilas Road, Lalbagh/R. V. Road, Lakshman Rao boulevard and then
      Banashankari, all this within four kms and involving four zig-zag
      90° turns. This will substantially slow down the Metro, increase
      wear and tear and make maintenance a costly affair. If this
      zig-zag alignment is not feasible, I/we demand to know how this
      alignment was at all approved in the first place.


   3.

      _Elevated Metro and its long term consequences_: All things
      considered, an elevated Metro will remain for all time to come.
      There are many instances where Elevated Metros and transport
      corridors have been pulled down (Eg. Boston) and put underground
      as they have caused various negative impacts including depressed
      neighbourhoods and local economies, increase in crime rates,
      increase in noise pollution, decrease in availability of road
      space, etc. None of the Metro stations on this reach have any
      parking zones, and it is more than likely that in the near future
      more acquisition will take place to create parking areas -- with
      Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao Parks becoming easy targets. It is well
      known that the Metro also proposes to use its stations as Malls,
      so there is no guarantee that this will not happen to the Metro
      line proposed through Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao parks. It is also
      very much in the realm of possibility that in order road space
      lost to the Metro track to accomodate increased vehicular density,
      existing roads may be widened in time to come, and this could
      result in further displacement of communities and loss of parks
      and open spaces.


   4.

      _Alternatives not explored_: Much against the claim of "Namma
      Metro" there has been no statutory public consultation whatsoever
      in consonance with applicable law (in particular the Karnataka
      Town and Country Planning Act). This has denied those directly
      affected with the right to Prior and Informed Consent and caused
      serious disruptions in their lives and livelihoods. Equally
      serious has been the impact on parks and open spaces, with the
      Bangalore Metro authorities arrogating to themselves the right to
      apportion such lands to the Metro without due public consultation
      or adopting a transparent approach.


Keeping in view all of these concerns, I/we demand the following:


   1.

      The Government of Karnataka must immediately instruct "Namma
      Metro" authorities to stop work on the southern reach.

   2.

      Such a move is in order as all candidates contesting the Bangalore
      South consituency have supported the stand that Lalbagh should be
      protected as a sacred space for all time to come responding to
      popular sentiment.The Executive must bow down to the will of the
      people. Consequently, the Government must allow the Ordinance
      issued to acquire Lalbagh for the "Namma Metro" to lapse on 22 May
      2009.

   3.

      The possibility of taking the Metro underground or through
      alternate alignments without causing much loss of greenery and
      property must be publicly explored. This must be done with due
      dispatch and in total conformance with law. Funds for this are
      easily available if only the Government stops investing in the
      elitist High Speed Rail Link project, which costs nearly Rs. 5,000
      crores, and caters to the needs of only 30,000 air travellers.
      That money should instead be invested in the Metro to take it
      underground and thereby serve the interest of lakhs of people now
      and into the future.

   4.

      The High Court of Karnataka in its order of 16 March 2009 in PIL
      7107/2009 (Environment Support Group and ors. vs. State of
      Karnataka) has directed all urban infrastructure development
      agencies, including Bangalore Metro, to "strictly follow" the
      provisions of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act and
      Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act while implementing projects.
      The Government must ensure strict compliance with this direction.

   5.

      The National Urban Transport Policy has many progressive and
      futuristic perspectives and ideas that needs to be adopted for
      Bangalore. Only such actions will serve in providing the right mix
      of public and private transport options, while also protecting the
      rights of pedestrians (especially elderly, children and the
      disabled), cyclists, and livelihoods of urban poor.


I/We hope that you support these progressive initiatives and immediately 
suspend the Metro authorities to stop work on the southern reach of 
"Namma Metro". Not only would such action be popular now, but would also 
prove to be regarded by future generations.

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