Insta
‘Why Steel Flyover When Elevated Namma Metro Corridor Would Be Cheaper’: IISc Professor Asks Karnataka Government
People Protesting The Construction Of A Steel Flyover In Bengaluru (Picture Credits-Facebook)
“Why should there be a steel flyover or elevated corridors when we can have an elevated Metro rail connectivity at a cheaper cost and with better passenger-carrying capacity,” questioned Ashish Verma, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore professor and mobility expert on Sunday (20 January), reports Times of India.
He raised the question while speaking at a public discourse organised by Save Bangalore Committee, a citizen’s forum which is opposing the Karnataka government’s proposal to revive the steel flyover project and build elevated corridors.
“The elevated corridors will not only reduce the city’s green cover, but also result in increased vehicular emissions,” the professor added.
Verma suggested expanding Metro rail network as an alternative to the steel flyover. Former would not just be more cost effective and of higher passenger-capacity, but also reduce vehicular emission and the commute time. “The government should think wisely and go for a Metro rail corridor. This way, people will start depending on public transport, and the traffic menace caused by private vehicles will reduce,” he said.
“The elevated steel flyover project is of the elites, for the elites and by the elites. The government is pushing for these projects only because their children are the contractors and are driving these projects. While these projects will create more space for cars, the common man will be made to suffer due to crumbling public transport,” said Prof TV Ramachandra from the centre for ecological sciences, IISc.
Prof Verma also said that the focus of the government should be based on a push-pull concept where they attract people to use public transport system rather than private vehicles.
The experts criticised the proposed toll taxes on elevated corridors saying that Bengaluru would soon become the ‘toll city’. They all stressed the need for suburban trains, Metro link, and affordable bus services.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
