BJP’s Bengaluru manifesto vows to bring Japanese zoning model

In a manifesto released for Bengaluru, the BJP has promised to curb rampant commercialisation and restore peace in residential neighbourhoods.

The saffron party has also vowed to expand the metro and the suburban rail network, while also promising an exclusive 'Nava Bengaluru Act' to address some of the city's unique needs.

The manifesto, released by party state unit president B S Yeddyurappa, envisages the 'Japanese zoning' model to reduce housing prices and stop commercial encroachments.

Residents, however, insist that the city would do better if existing laws are implemented properly and would not need new zoning regulations. "All that they need to do is to make sure the BBMP officials enforce the laws," said Nitin Sheshadri, a resident of Koramangala 3rd Block.

The Japanese zoning model does not entirely rule out commercial encroachment. Indeed, it says a certain percentage of the residential areas can be opened up for commercial establishment. "This leaves the citizens in a bind," Sheshadri added.

The manifesto pledges to establish a 'K-Hub' — an incubator for start-up companies — at a cost of Rs 200 crore in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Management.

It vows to establish the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transit Authority (BMTA), subsuming BMTC, BMRCL and the suburban rail network. It also assures to double the fleet of buses.

An Rs 2,500-crore 'Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Fund' will be established to clean up lakes and rid the neighbourhoods of the water tanker mafia, the manifesto says.

It also promises to build 200 toilets with at least 10 per ward and make Bengaluru a zero-garbage city. To encourage tourism, it would establish heritage walks and set up centres of music and dance in four places consisting of auditoriums, which could be rented out at heavily subsidised rates for classical music and dance performances.

Developing Devanahalli town as an IT city due to its proximity to the airport; and instituting the Bengaluru Transit Challenge Fund with an Rs 200-crore initial corpus to encourage citizen-driven transit innovation are some of the other significant promises in the manifesto.