Short memory, grim future

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">BANGALORE: Five years ago, the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) had designed the "Bangalore Infrastructure Plan," a vision document and action plan to be implemented in five years. The action plan, prepared by the then BCC commissioner K. Jairaj, is almost forgotten by the BCC. <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Times of India </span>revives it.Flashback to 2000.<br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">Pipe dreams</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Vision</span>: Holistic and integrated approach to development; benchmark international urban successes and growth parameters; create distinct "Bangalore Identity"; attain international standards in public health and sanitation.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Key features</span>: Roads and traffic corridors; markets; area development programmes; parking; hygiene infrastructure; communication and capacity building.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Projects envisaged, deadlines</span>: 27 flyovers and underpasses all along the north-south, western, eastern, south-eastern corridors. Deadline: all by June 2004. Five ROBs, RUBs at Lingarajpuram, Banaswadi, Nehru Circle, ITC Factory and Frazer Town, to be completed by March 2002.<br /><br />Surface parking, off-street parking, conservancy parking by December 2000, six multi-storied parking complexes by December 2003. About 700 bus shelters, bus bays, bus terminals by April 2002. Construction and upgradation of seven markets by October 2004. Development of lakes, parks, stadia, halls by December 2003.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Cost</span>: Amount for infrastructure creation — Rs 1,130 crore; financial source: borrowings Rs 730 crore, internal accruals Rs 300 crore and joint venture/Build Operate Transfer Rs 100 crore.<br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">Benchmark for apathy</span><br /><br />A reality check gives a grim picture. Though the Bangalore Infrastructure Plan gives a rosy picture of what the city was projected to look like in 2005, the ground reality is quite contrary. Far from being a benchmark for international urban success, Bangalore today is nothing short of a haphazardly growing city with very less infrastructure that cannot keep pace with development.<br /><br />Over the last five years, the BCC has constructed a flyover at Richmond Circle, another is in progress at National College Circle; an underpass at Mehkri Circle, another in progress at Rajajinagar entrance. Three ROB and RUBs at Lingarajpuram, Nehru Circle and Frazer Town; three more in progress. A few bus-shelters here and there have cropped up, though bus-bays are still a dream. Though roads are being asphalted every year with the BCC spending over Rs 150 crore, they do not last till monsoon. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Result</span>: Bangalore has been crowned as the crumbling city.</div> </div>