JOIN USDecrying what they termed as a ‘betrayal’ by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) which had promised that it would not widen the thoroughfares without public consent, activists of the NGOs asserted that they would continue their movement until the proposed road-widening projects were shelved.
The protesters felt aggrieved with the BBMP ‘mercilessly’ chopping trees in the City depriving it of its once-famed greenery.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravi of the Save Bangalore Committee accused the BBMP of ‘undervaluing’ the loss of green cover.
“The civic agency claims nearly 860 trees would be axed on Bellary Road and Jayamahal Road to lay 150 feet four-lane roads. The brutal reality, however, is that at least 1,220 trees will be chopped,” he contended.
Lamenting that no public representative was airing his views on conserving the green cover in this stretch though three corporators represent the area, Ravi alleged that the BBMP ‘never listened’ to the alternatives suggested so as to avoid tree-felling and road widening.
He said a lot of space could be created if car parking by the road side was banned.
Suresh Heblikar launched a scathing attack against the Palike for trying to solve the City’s traffic woes by chopping the trees. He sought an explanation from the Palike authorities on measures it would take if the traffic problem persisted even after the roads were widened.
Struggle continues
Vinay Srinivas, an office-bearer of Hasiru Usiru, said the NGO would continue its movement until the BBMP dropped the plans of felling trees to accommodate more vehicles on the stretch.
Later, the activists took out a rally from Mekhri Circle to Cauvery Junction to generate public support for their cause.