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TTMC - a case of total misuse of JNNURM funds
Written By murali772 - 4 May, 2010
Bangalore Infrastructure governance BMTC JNNURM TTMC Media Reports Others Traffic
The Jayanagar TTMC was built with a swanky futuristic look but all what’s within is huge empty spaces and leaking walls and roofs. Almost close to completing a year now, all the promises are still on paper. Apart from the busy bus service in the basement, there’s been no progress within. A quick survey of the entire building reveals nothing more than empty spaces, unfinished structures and poor quality of construction. Even the flooring and electrical wiring have not been completed. The walls and beams have already given in to the recent rain. The unfinished wiring works on the first and second floors are now seen soaked.
At a time when there is serious shortage of parking space, this TTMC has a huge park and ride provision on the terrace with a capacity of nearly 110 cars. The original idea behind it was that people could drive in, park their cars/ two-wheelers and board their bus. But, with no lifts ready yet, people are forced to walk the entire ramp up and down to park and ride. According to locals here, weekdays hardly see even 10-15 cars parked here. Even on weekends, the numbers hardly touch 20.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 12.9 crore, this building was completed in July 2009 and declared open within a month. According to the plan, the TTMC was to house a multi-level parking lot, mini-shopping centres, food courts, BangaloreOne kiosks and ATMs among others.
NURM’s condition for the project is that these TTMCs must be a public space and not for commercial purposes. However, with no proper response from the RTO and the commercial tax offices yet to set up their counters here yet, little is known about the plight of the incomplete first and second floors at this TTMC.
Admits Jayanagar MLA B N Vijayakumar: “The main purpose is complete as of now. There could be some relief with a parking shelter above. Improper planning of space utilization here has a majority of the building still unused”.
There is a plan for at least 10 Traffic and Transport Management Centres (TTMCs) for the city, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). But the very first TTMC built at Jayanagar 4th Block sees persistently leaking roofs and walls in less than a year.
For the full report in the TOI, click here
Here is a recent pictures of the massive Koramangala TTMC, under construction
And, the comparatively smaller Domlur TTMC
So, when the year-old Jayanagar TTMC has still to find takers for its huge empty spaces, what is going to be the fate of these newer ones?
The TTMCs would perhaps rank as the biggest misuse of JNNURM funds in the state, while simultaneously causing the biggest uglyfication of the city-scape. The chief architects - the minister, Mr R Ashoka, and the person who perhaps conceived this plan, the erstwhile BMTC, MD, Mr U Tripathy, both need special recognition.
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
Naveen - 6 May, 2010 - 03:44
What a location for a TTMC! I suppose it's in the same compound where the bus depot is.
The bus terminus for Koramangala is at Jakkasandra (intersection of Sarjapur rd & 80-ft peripheral rd), & a TTMC there would have made better sense since Monorail might pass through there along Sarjapur rd. Also, this location would have allowed buses to cut through Koramangala without adding distance to bus routes whilst also catering to adjacent neighbourhoods along Sarjapur rd such as KIOCL.
Planning for commuter convenience is being ignored wholesale.
zenrainman - 4 May, 2010 - 12:08
Murali sir caustic as usual :)
What is the extant of monies spent on these beautiful structures? An RTI should help methinks...
are these also to help the BMTC stay in the black or are they pushing it into the red?
regards
pathykv - 4 May, 2010 - 10:00
The wastage is observed in other ares too.
The K.R.Cicle was modified recently. As many as 7 Bus shelters were put up on the same side of the route and on either side of the K.R. Circle. No BMTC bus ever stops at any of these Bus Shelters.
The strange thing is an eighth Bus Shelter is also being built now in the same location.
Is no one accountable for such wastage which also results in blocking the free passge for pedestrians and creates visual polution?
K.V.Pathy
srinidhi - 4 May, 2010 - 10:15
structures will be a failure for sure!
Without proper plan to manage traffic(specifically bus) from and into the TTMC's..these structures are sure heading for a disaster!
It scares me when I see the TTMC at KH road everyday..its huge and there are already bad jams in front of it, even before its completion!
Urgent re-planning is needed to make it easier to get in and get out of these TTMC's without causing any issues to the exisiting traffic!
About floor space usage...guess there is no dearth of govt office which can find space here!
Did some one say Koramangala complex will be brought down and remodelled? The office there(RTO and others) can be moved here..i think!
Btw the Koramangala TTMC building from the photo seems to be violating all possible building rules..including that of fire safety!
Wonder who approves all this!
Naveen - 20 November, 2012 - 03:28
Domlur TTMC is a total waste - no proper entry /exits, very few buses actually use it (most buses halt at bus stop on old airport rd due to difficult access for buses). Wonder what purpose these huge buildings will serve - most of the space is lying vacant.
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