Bengaluru’s oddly-paced infrastructure development has been the cause of debate and criticism for many years now. From shoddy road planning to ignorance of environmental balance coupled with the city’s soaring economic growth, the variables seem to be impossible to balance out. Something needs to give, and it might just turn out to be the system as a whole.
IISc’s studies are reflecting ridiculous figures pointing at Bengaluru’s imminent doom.
A 525% growth in built-up area in the last four decades, 78% decline in vegetation and 79% decline in water bodies are just the foam at the top of this statistical study. There is little need for an estimated study, in fact, with the very evident decline in tree cover and lakes in the midst of the overgrowing urban landscape that one can easily spot.
IISc’s Centre for Ecological Sciences Professor, TV Ramachandra, attributes this to “senseless growth.”
“What’s the point earning better when the food that you eat is adulterated? As a result of unplanned urbanisation, Bengaluru is going to be an un-liveable and a dead city in the next five years,” he said, reported Deccan Herald.
Professor Ramachandra suggests decongestion as a necessary solution.
“Besides banning new industries in the city, the government should make sure other districts get these economic benefits,” Deccan Herald reported him saying. Other experts blame the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) of facilitating land deals in favour of corrupt politicians.
Once an attraction to people due to its booming economy and fast building infrastructure, Bengaluru’s growth might have turned cancerous. Experts suggest that the government pay heed to the norms of having 15%-20% of the city as open space, and divert their attention immediately to the tree cover and water problem. Or else, Bengaluru could easily turn hostile and uninhabitable, in as little as 5 years.
There is very little time to waste now.
Masthead Source: commonfloor.com, Feature Image Source: wandererontheroad.com