Online plea against commercial buildings in Bellandur

A group of residents and employees in and around Bellandur have started an online petition seeking a reduction of congestion and commercial construction in Bellandur.

The petition addressed to Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary to the state government, is garnering support on change.org. The petition states that about 2.5 lakh residents of Bellandur along with employees, work in offices in and around Bellandur.

The petition states that the commute time and quality of life have become unbearable due to the increase in vehicles and air pollution in and around Bellandur. The petition also states that the 78-acre RMZ Ecoworld, a tech park, houses 75,000 people in 23 office towers and also comprises 50 retail and dining outlets which have added significantly to the traffic mess on the road that connects Bellandur's residential community to the city via the outer ring road.

The petition adds that the single arterial 40-feet-wide road cannot take the current load of vehicular traffic each day. It adds that this intersection that feeds into the EcoSpace junction on the ORR, has become notorious for nightmarish traffic congestion that blocks the entire ORR for miles.

The petition also highlights that the additional 22-acre plot beside the residential community will soon have commercial set-ups after being taken over by RMZ. This additional planned commercial construction will add to the traffic woes. The petition adds that residents are already suffering from the adverse effects of air pollution caused by heavy traffic with many residents and children needing special medication and breathing aids.

The residents, through the petition, have requested authorities to put a stop to this "monstrous mess" and stop these current projects and repurpose the use of this land in a planned and sustainable manner. They have also requested the additional joint secretary to hold meetings with RWAs and implement existing laws on congestion, carrying capacity and the need to cap new construction in areas where traffic is slow.