Fifty-five-year-old Gnana Bharathi, a scientist at the Central Leather Research Institute and a wheelchair user for over two decades, rarely takes the bus anymore. Chennai’s bus stops and termini, he says, are designed in a way that makes independent travel “nearly impossible”— from reaching the stop safely, to getting onto the platform and finally boarding the bus — without physical risk. So, when the Greater Chennai Corporation declared the Vivekananda House Bus Stop on Kamarajar Salai as an accessible, ‘model bus stop’, he decided to try it.“When I arrived at the location in my wheelchair, I couldn’t even access the…
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Are Chennai’s bus stops and terminals truly accessible? A reality check
On World Disability Day, we examine how MoRTH guidelines expose gaps; Chennai bus stops still fail persons with disabilities in basic accessibility.
Where were these NGO’s when the entire stretch of Mysore – Bangalore was virtually denuded of all it’s Heritage tree cover ? This was a case where it was eminently feasible to save these trees if only more land had been acquired to create a parallel Road all along the stretch. Was BMIC necessary at all? Are these NGO’s concerned only about Bangalore City ? Yellappa Reddy’s emotional outbursts are unwarranted. If you are not ready to take the flak you have no business to be in public life. There are many People like Salumara Thimmakka, who have contributed more then the Reddy’s and Saldhana’s of the world.
For every development vs. environment situation, there exist a whole spectrum of views from one end to the other with several middle paths. It is important that HU and similar initiatives deeply research (and publish) all possibilities before taking a stand. Unfortunately as described above, most such discussions tend to become us vs. them with both sides being unable to be dispassionate. That said, it should not be forgotten that Yellappa Reddy is one of the pioneers of environmental protection in Karnataka and it must be said to his credit that he was one of the few to take up environmental issues even while he was in government.
Sir/Madam,
I am interested in planting trees at my area where i am located and turn the total area with trees and plants, i require your help and suggestion, about from where to get the plants and tree gourd at BBMP.
Regards
Selvan