BENGALURU: Members of the Forum for Urban Governance on Friday referred to as for a halt to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) calling for tenders to take over the operation and upkeep of Church Street, from Brigade Road to St Mark's Road, for business advertisements. They declare it's the first example of a street being 'privatised' in the country,
Two days before the ballot model code of habits was once enforced, BBMP, on March 26, referred to as for tenders that might put street control, together with regular sweeping and clearing of garbage and storm water drains, getting rid of unauthorized and placing optic fibre cables, ensuring round the clock safety with four guards at any given time, no footpath encroachment through boulevard vendors and elimination of unauthorized profession of footpaths and maintainance of the landscape.
Activists mentioned this quantities to handing over the fundamental obligatory duties of BBMP and leaving issues comparable to boulevard supplier eviction, which must apply due process, to a private agency.
Reshma, a discussion board member, mentioned there was once a danger to boulevard vendors. "Many have been working there for seven to eight years. It's their livelihood. Matters of eviction must be dealt sensitively by BBMP and not outsourced to private parties who don't have jurisdiction in the area," she mentioned.
Kshithij Urs, convener of the discussion board, mentioned privatising Church Street was once akin to making exclusive zones within the city the place access may well be controlled. "What's the need to station guards on a public road all day? This decision is in total disregard of the very idea of roads as commons, as something that belongs to everyone. This is different from previous instances of partnering with corporates to ensure upkeep of skywalks as all activities being outsourced are primary obligatory functions of a city corporation," he mentioned.
A senior BBMP reputable downplayed the delicate terms on elimination of encroachment and mentioned the cause was once to create an exclusive zone prioritizing pedestrians. "The aim is maintenance of the road. As for encroachments, we want the agency to be the BBMP's eyes and prevent hawkers from making a permanent home. We won't be spending a single penny but will get it maintained efficiently for five years. The company can either pocket or share the revenue from ads as per the tender agreement," he mentioned.
Two days before the ballot model code of habits was once enforced, BBMP, on March 26, referred to as for tenders that might put street control, together with regular sweeping and clearing of garbage and storm water drains, getting rid of unauthorized and placing optic fibre cables, ensuring round the clock safety with four guards at any given time, no footpath encroachment through boulevard vendors and elimination of unauthorized profession of footpaths and maintainance of the landscape.
Activists mentioned this quantities to handing over the fundamental obligatory duties of BBMP and leaving issues comparable to boulevard supplier eviction, which must apply due process, to a private agency.
Reshma, a discussion board member, mentioned there was once a danger to boulevard vendors. "Many have been working there for seven to eight years. It's their livelihood. Matters of eviction must be dealt sensitively by BBMP and not outsourced to private parties who don't have jurisdiction in the area," she mentioned.
Kshithij Urs, convener of the discussion board, mentioned privatising Church Street was once akin to making exclusive zones within the city the place access may well be controlled. "What's the need to station guards on a public road all day? This decision is in total disregard of the very idea of roads as commons, as something that belongs to everyone. This is different from previous instances of partnering with corporates to ensure upkeep of skywalks as all activities being outsourced are primary obligatory functions of a city corporation," he mentioned.
A senior BBMP reputable downplayed the delicate terms on elimination of encroachment and mentioned the cause was once to create an exclusive zone prioritizing pedestrians. "The aim is maintenance of the road. As for encroachments, we want the agency to be the BBMP's eyes and prevent hawkers from making a permanent home. We won't be spending a single penny but will get it maintained efficiently for five years. The company can either pocket or share the revenue from ads as per the tender agreement," he mentioned.
Activists accuse BBMP of 'privatising' a road
![Activists accuse BBMP of 'privatising' a road]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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May 19, 2018
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