[sustran] Stop registration of new vehicles for two years in Bengaluru: G Parameshwara

[Vinay Baindur]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/stop-registration-of-new-vehicles-for-two-years-in-bengaluru-g-parameshwara/articleshow/66410405.cms


Stop registration of new vehicles for two years in Bengaluru: G Parameshwara
By
K R Balasubramanyam
<https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/etreporter/author-K%20R%20Balasubramanyam-479235088.cms>
, ET Bureau|
Oct 29, 2018, 10.52 AM IST
[image: Gparameswara-bccl]Traffic problems, in Parameshwara assessment,
should get resolved in two years.
Stopping registration of new vehicles for two years, phasing out
20-year-old vehicles and fixing arterial roads are among the ideas Deputy
Chief Minister G Parameshwara is working on for Bengaluru. The City
Development and Home Minister tells ET’s KR Balasubramanyam that vehicular
pollution is causing serious health issues in the City. Edited excertps:

*The traffic in Benglauru is getting worse...*
Traffic problems, in my assessment, should get resolved in two years for
the following reasons. We are upgrading arterial roads into cemented ones.
White-topping work worth Rs 1,000 crore is going on, and i have asked for
their completion by summer. We have provided about Rs 660 crore to
white-top another 40-50 roads. Their tender process will be over in a
month, and they should be ready by monsoon
<https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/monsoon>.

Once these roads are ready, we will not have any potholes.

*People complain that public transport is poor...*
There are about 15-lakh people using the 6,000 BMTC buses. We are also in
the process of introducing some electric buses. We can buy more buses, but
where are roads? We will end up choking our roads further. There about
about seven million vehicles on roads now. We will need to reduce private
vehicles to make space for BMTC buses.

*What is the way out, then?*
I am thinking of requesting the transport department to temporarily suspend
registration of new two and four wheelers in Bengaluru for two years, and
deny fitness certificates to vehicles that are 20 years old. How else do we
deal if 2,500 vehicles add to our roads everyday? This is our loud
thinking, and after bypolls are over, I plan to hold a meeting with
Transport Minister, and Transport, BBMP and BDA Commissioners to hear their
views.


*Won’t that disappoint first-time vehicle buyers?*
Let’s remember our pollution levels are high. Lot of people are suffering
from chest congestion and respiratory problems. We are adding vehicles at
the cost of public health. Having said that, let me also add we cannot stop
new vehicles without giving people an alternative. We will need to increase
public transport, and request corporates to support carpooling in a big
way.

*You reviewed Metro project on Friday. What is the update?*
I have taken a very serious review of metro projects. In the next two
years, we will commission Mysuru and Tumkuru road extensions, and the
Whitefild, RV Road, and Bommasandra lines will be ready by 2021. The
airport connectivity should be through by 2023. I have firmly told metro
authorities to stick to timelines, and not seek extensions. They took eight
years to complete the first phase. I will be reviewing the progress every
month.

*There are concerns funds are an issue for Bengaluru city development...*
That is not true. I approved a budget of about ?10,000 crore for BBMP only
after recognising the revenue potential from property taxes, rentals and
ads. The BBMP itself generates about ?3,500 crore in taxes. In the past one
and a half months alone, the BBMP has collected ?400 crore in taxes. I want
BBMP to give its citizens every years at least five permanent structures
like, for example, skywalks, not replacing footpath tiles. In am looking at
BBMP finances on a quarterly basis, and holding them to account.

*When will we see an end to our garbage mess?*
We are overhauling the entire garbage collection, transport and disposal
system. As part of this, we are inviting fresh tenders. Successful bidders
will bring their own equipment, and handle transport. In addition, we are
attempting conversion of waste to energy. If we are able to do this, we
would not need landfills. If, for instance, we are able to process 500
metric tonnes of waste at four places each, that will solve bulk of our
problems. I want to begin with at least one waste-toenergy plant on a pilot
basis in the next six months. A few players, including a French company,
have come forward. In the days to come, we hope to create demand for
garbage.

*There is this impression that BBMP acts only when High Court steps in…*
I appreciate the court’s concern, but at the same time we will not feel
comfortable if courts assume executive functions.

*How are you dealing with city’s growth from a policing point?*
As a growing metro, Bengaluru is facing many challenges, including influx
of large number of illegal immigrants. I hear a lot of them are from
Bangladesh. I have sensitised the City police and they have stepped up the
vigil <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/vigil>, and are trying to
identify and deport all those foreign nationals who are staying here
illegally.