The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is currently involved in a litigation against the Traders' Association of Chinmaya Mission Hospital (CMH) Road. The traders' filed their case in November 2006. Their main prayer to the court has been to change the alignment of the Metro from CMH Road to Old Madras Road. Their central concerns have been the losses to their businesses arising from the Metro and its compensation package, and the government's ignoring at least one major report recommending that Old Madras Road is a better option for aligning the Metro. The message seems clear and present. Pic:…
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Srinivas Murthy is working President of the Rickshaw Chalakara Sangha (Autorickshaw Drivers' Union) in Bangalore which spearheaded the recent strike by autos in the city. The union is affiliated to the Community Party of India-linked Center for India Trade Unions (CITU). In conversation with Samuel Jacob, he avers that driving a rickshaw in Bangalore is no longer viable proposition given the increased cost of living and fuel prices. The Union is asking for a hike in the minimum rate from Rs.12 to Rs.20 for rickshaws plying in the city. Pic: Deepa Mohan. Murthy is about 65, is soft spoken and…
Read moreWe all want our roads to be broad enough to ensure smooth flowing traffic. But with more than 27 lakh vehicles in Bangalore and more than 800 new vehicles getting registered every day, the road infrastructure just cannot keep up to the growing vehicle count. However much the administration tries to widen the roads, there is a limit to this approach. Public Transport - limited by BMTC capacity (pic: Madhav Pai) The unchecked growth and usage of private vehicles which constitute almost 90% of the total vehicles in Bangalore can be countered with an excellent public transport service. The Bangalore…
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