Contributed to Times City Campaign (TOI) 08.08.04: Decongest Bangalore - some simple but elegant solutions!

Dear Sir, This is in connection with the Times City Campaign on decongesting Bangalore's roads. By now it must be evident to our politicians and city planners that the root of the problem is the lack of an efficient mass transport system. It is imperative that an MRT system which combines rail and bus services is introduced in Bangalore. The BMTC should be merged into the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transport Company which will ensure optimal usage of transport facilities. For instance, commuters should be able to travel long distance from say Yeshwanthpur to Jayanagar 9th block by the MRT train and then travel within Jayanagar by buses which depart from the MRT station. Since the trains and buses will be operated by the same company a single ticket to the final destination can easily be worked out. Once this system is in place the government should gently persuade people to use public transport by steeply increasing vehicle registration and road tax and toughening driving licence requirements and tests. This will drastically cut down the number of vehicles on the road and ease traffic management and parking woes. It will also mean fewer road accidents and clear passage to emergency vehicles. The central business districts such as the MG Road-Brigade Road- Residency Road-Commercial Street and the Majestic areas should be declared completely traffic free. All types of motor vehicles should be stopped outside these areas and parked in multistoried parking lots. These roads should be laid with cobblestones and should be accessible to the public through underground rail stations. Once they get out of the rail stations people should be able to commute within the district by walk, bicycles or battery operated carts. Street side cafes,open air markets, music and art should be encouraged on these streets, especially MG Road which is broad and has a raised promenade abutting the parade grounds. This will mean a safe and vibrant night life for the young and old, men, women and children. The MRT should be accessible to passengers at the city railway station, the Subhashnagar bus terminal and the HAL Airport. Autorickshaws must be restricted to the areas outside the CBD. To make them safer and more accountable, each auto should prominently display the driver and owner's details alongwith the driver's name and photograph. This should be placed next to the auto meter where it can easily be seen by the passenger. The back window of the auto should be transparent for safety reasons. Another very important initiative to reduce air pollution by motor vehicles would be to introduce CNG in a big way. The government should first aggressively push through CNG infrastructure in Bangalore and then lay down a deadline for autos, buses and trucks to switch to CNG. This has borne results in New Delhi and there is no reason why it cannot be replicated here. Bangalore has the privilege of hosting some of the world's most hi tech companies. It is high time the government also becomes one and works towards making Bangalore the No.1 city in India. It is within our grasp but does the government have the vision and the guts to do it? Lets hope the politicians and bureacrats wake up and work with the public to reclaim Bangalore for the future generations.