[sustran] Re: SHELVE BMIC - The "Enron" Of Road Development- Press Release - July 04, 2002

[ESG, INDIA]

Dear Kisan sab,

Thank you for commenting on the optioins we have proposed.  Your suggestions
of raised pavements are well taken, and we will see if this can be
integrated into the road design proposed by KRDCL.  There is no reason why
India should not develop its own unique mix of safe fast road travel with
heavy use by local pedestrians and slow moving vehicles (as majority of our
vehicles are still in this category, and will remain to be so for a long
time).  The length and breadth of this country is characterised by roads
which require such mixed use possibilities, and our minimal resources are
best used in developing roads and railways that serve the widest possible
section of society.  Exclusive fast travel expressives will always have very
high social and environmental impacts, besides being difficult to finance
and unaffordable to most.

There is an active plan to propose the "annuity" scheme for development of
toll based expressways in the country, and I wish to enquire if the
financial implications of this scheme on the exchequer and the general
population has been carefully addressed?

Leo Saldanha
  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
[mailto:owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org]On Behalf Of kisan mehta
  Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2002 7:40 PM
  To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
  Subject: [sustran] Re: SHELVE BMIC - The "Enron" Of Road Development-
Press Release - July 04, 2002



  Dear Sustran Colleagues and Leo,

  With reference to your contention in the press note dated 4 July "SHELVE
BMIC - The "Enron" Of Road Development" that the
  Bangalore Mysore Highway should be shelved and instead the Government of
Karnataka should take up the doubling of railway
  track between Bangalore and Mysore is well appreciated.

  The expansion of Bangalore Mysore Highway in the manner
  proposed by spending a huge amount is not only disastrous but hazardous.
Providing unpaved side space beyond the paved four
  lane carriageway under any pretext is an open and permanent
  invitation for accidents. Non-motorised traffic and pedestrians
  will be the victims. Pedestrians form 81% of the number of
  persons killed on roads in Mumbai which has the highest road
  fatality.rate in the world. In any case, no road project can be
  financially viable and become a burden on the poor.

  Doubling of the railway track existing and in use for generations
  can be sustainable and affordable Many more people can use.




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