Commute

It's a classic case of putting cart before the horse and getting away with it. The Jayanagar Traffic and Transit Management Centre - a fancy name for a new bus stand located in a multi-storey building - was inaugurated in August 2009. The cost was around Rs.12 crores. It was a classic sarkari ceremony with the chief minister cutting the ribbon, transport minister attending, and the works. The media was happy to report it too.The centre has space for offices in the second and third floors and a swanky terrace parking lot for the public on the fourth level. They…

Schools have reopened this week, just yet another excuse for jams. This jam on Harlur Road was nearly impossible to clear for a while, because vehicles in one direction clogged the road. An autorikshaw trying to turn back pushed a bike into the ditch. There was no space for the vehicles in the opposite direction coming in from Sarjapur Road to move on. A gridlock. Similar situation on Sarjapur Road... An all too common occurrence. Small roads, small jams; Bigroads, bigger jams. ⊕

We residents of JP Nagar have seen articles pertaining to requests for BMTC services in the newspapers. During the "Know your Candidates" BBMP election debate organised by Citizen Matters, some participants also raised the same concern.I invite all like-minded residents of JP Nagar to come together and form a forum to jointly voice our concerns to BMTC. A large group will have strength and voice. Contact me at 9916781877.   ⊕

One of the oldest bazaars, Gandhi Bazaar which is frequented by thousands and which is also a popular meeting point for the residents of Basvangudi, is today a bustling, noisy, chaotic 'thoroughfare', unsafe for shoppers. Thanks to heavy traffic. BMTC buses, trucks, and ‘all wheelers' make it a point to speed their way. Mowing down shoppers, making it a hazard for pedestrians. During festival time it is most dangerous and annoying.Shopping is also leisure time activity and the area is a social meeting point, especially for senior citizens and women with children. Shopping is meant to be pleasure and fun,…

During the past three to four years, the residents of HSR layout have been subjected to tremendous hardships and inconveniences due to BDA's flyover and bridge constructions.During 2007-08, a bridge construction work at the junction of 14th Main and Ring Road junction (HSR junction) went on for more than 15 months. During that time all entry points to HSR layout except for one or two were closed from Ring Road side. Residents had to take diversions from all sectors.Now, BDA’s yet another flyover construction work at the meeting point of 14th Main and Ring Road junction is causing severe traffic…

I am a resident of Maria Selva Apts, an apartment located at Hennur Road and Davis Road cross. Markings as "+11m" and “+5m” by BBMP have been made on the compound walls adjoining Hennur Road. Apartment owners also received a letter from BBMP asking us to apply for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) a few days ago. The letter is confusing. No deadline is given. There has been no communication from BBMP after we got this letter. The road in question is Hennur Road (from Pottery Road towards Lingarajapuram and beyond to Ring Road). This road has been mentioned in…

I am a resident of a quiet neighbourhood at Vijaya Bank Layout, Bannerghatta road since 2007. Most of you might have heard about it. It is very popular for its Ayyappa Temple and its quiet environment. But this harmony was destroyed when I saw my home located in 1st Main road and several other houses  were marked by BBMP officials for the road widening project.I am not the only one , but several hundreds are suffering from the same problem. Most people here have used all their savings to buy this property which costs a fortune just because it has…

Bangalore Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (BMTC) provides city and suburban bus services in Bangalore. Here is some info to help you start using BMTC buses. Are their helplines to help me find my routes? What are the various BMTC routes? Regular routes, Big10, Big Circle, Inner Circle, Vajra Premium Services, Airport services How much should I pay for tickets? How and where can I get bus passes? Are their helplines to help me find my routes? BMTC Hot Line numbers: 1800-425-1663, 1266 (BSNL Only) and 22029935 They provide information on routes and bus pass information. It is available 24x7. What are…

It is great to see that work on the Whitefield railway overbridge is finally picking up speed. However, I have a different concern.Train parked right in the middle of the road. Pic: Suruj BhuyanThe railway authorities have taken the liberty of parking the trains anywhere they wish to. Pic: Suruj Bhuyan.People climbing up in between two bogies in order to cross over. Pic: Suruj Bhuyan.‹ › $(document).ready(function(){ $('.carousel .carousel-inner .item').first().attr('class', 'active item');}); Since the railway gates are now closed temporarily due to the overbridge construction, the railway authorities have taken the liberty of parking the trains anywhere they wish to.…

This is the letter sent to the BBMP Commissioner on March 14th 2010. Dear Sir, It is observed in our area and confirmed by residents that while digging roads for the purpose of asphalting, workers using JCBs (earth movers) are showing exorbitant arrogance towards woes of residents.   Telephone cables and slabs placed by residents in front of their houses are unnecessarily removed even when the same is not coming inside the portion for asphalting and not replaced after the work. This puts lot of inconvenience and expenditure to hapless residents. No responsible official are available at the time of…