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When the courts lose the plot whom do we go to?
Written By s_yajaman - 19 June, 2012
Bangalore BBMP Road Works cars Road widening Analysis High Court
Here is an article from todays DH. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/257985/high-court-says-road-widening.html
“Really life in the city of Bangalore with all its material comforts has become a hell because of these traffic conditions. It is in this background widening of roads is the only means to overcome traffic congestion,” Justices Kumar and Kempanna said.
Is the only means? What happened to public transport? I thought judges and courts went by evidence and data not on opinions.
Isn't the onus on BBMP to provide data that the road widening and one-ways have indeed reduced congestions over a 5 year period during peak hours rather than just make a claim that road widening is needed. Should the courts not have asked for evidence from both sides. Seshadri Road was widened to I don't know how many lanes. Has the situation improved? Where do pedestrians and bus commuters fit into such a policy?
To catch a bus from say Brigade Road to Majestic, one needs to walk to Richmond Road. To take a bus from JC Road back to Jayanagar one needs to go to Devanga Hostel.
If they make the entire road width usable, that will itself widen roads by 20% or so before trees are chopped and pavements are destroyed.
COMMENTS
Well, courts are not a panacea
sanjayv - 19 June, 2012 - 16:27
After the Supreme court ruling on tinted windows and after seeing some other press reports on proceedings in court, it is not clear if there is any value to pinning hopes on courts. If I recall, a judge few months back went ballistic because a reporter was chewing gum. Does the judge not have better things to focus on?
Since decisions in our country seem to be made based on all considerations except good data, it is clearer than ever now that lot of judgements, especially on policy and technical issues can be purely based on the emotions of the judges in charge. A judgement can be twisted to justify pretty much anything. Since our standards and expectations were abyssmal, the mere act of upholding the law by a court appeared to be great and was praised by many. However, I am leaning more and more towards courts butting their heads out of issues like this.
I mean, does the court have a role in deciding if road widening is good or bad policy? If the executive decides to use unscientific methods like most of our country does anyway, who are the courts to say otherwise?
idontspam - 20 June, 2012 - 02:17
Absolutely irresponsible judgement. Did the courts go into the need for accomodating this many cars at all? Have they gone into the modal share & asked for committmed modal share target numbers? Have they checked BBMP's capability to do road widening (Hosur-Lashkar road for example)? Have they asked BBMP to show that they have maximised throughput by engineering?
We deserve judgements like this because we have people who dont have a long term strategy in place for the city & yet there are a vast majority of people who cant see beyond their nose on material comforts like their car& a path for that thru everybody else's houses & trees.
I challenge this judge to give up his car & take public transport for the rest of his life. I am sure his judgement after that will be completely different. I am sure first thing he will do is sue BMTC for not having a timetable & then go after GoK for not having commuter rail.
Re: WELL, COURTS ARE NOT A PANACEA
Ravi_D - 20 June, 2012 - 03:11
+1 Sanjay.
It is crazy. We don't misunderstand our constitution. We mis-wrote our constitution. Executive branch tries its hands at legislation. Members of the legisture execute (and whenever possible, try their best not to legislate). And Judiciary is into problem solving, making legislation and policing!
Majority of the Citizens don't seem to understand (and/or care) for any of the above.
Anithasunil - 20 June, 2012 - 04:00
If this is the way forward, can we file a case against GoK, for not starting Commuter rail? Wold the court give a ruling asking them to start it asap?
If the cash-for-bail-scam is an indication,
ramesh_mbabu - 20 June, 2012 - 04:08
we are worser than the so called banana republics!
Just waiting to see if the judiciary handles the scam any better than the one handled by executive & legislature.
Ramesh
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