[am1m]

Originally Posted by after

Living in my own manufactured bubble...

Similar, stubborn situation on my part!

I too have taken steps to live in a Metro bubble as much as I can. I've not visited places beyond 2km from a Metro station, for leisure, for years now. All my friends know that I won't agree to plans that aren't near a Metro station. I've missed out on some events because of that and I'm fine! The alternative- get stuck in Bangalore traffic, pollution, road rage, struggle for parking, and like you correctly stated- confronting the depressing reality that all of this could be so much better if governments weren't so busy lining their pockets and if citizens showed some common sense (don't drive on the wrong side, don't honk, don't park on the road and block traffic).

I also stopped applying for jobs that required me to commute by road. Fortunately, since covid, I've managed to get jobs that were either remote or where I could use the Metro.

Won't work for everyone, but it's worked out very well for me. I used to have a 2 hour+ commute to work before covid and I normalized the stress that included for years. Now I see that the lesser I find myself in Bangalore traffic, the happier and healthier I am!

[DigitalOne]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Concluding Thoughts
[*]Still made me wonder again and feel disappointed why the administration has not prioritized suburban trains. Even in the current avatars. It is a very low hanging fruit.

Around 15 years back, there was a citizen movement by Praja.in called "]NammaRailu to advocate the use of existing rail infrastructure and introduce at least few suburban trains. Despite obvious advantages that you have also pointed out, the project never got any backing from the mainline political parties. The main disadvantage of the project being that it was "a low hanging fruit" - i.e. no chance to make money for the politicos.

It then morphed into something bigger called the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP). BSRP envisages complex new infrastructure (elevated tracks, elevated stations, new train rakes etc) completely detached from the IR infrastructure (though on IR land). The estimated project cost as of October 2020 is Rs. 15,767 crore.

Away from public glare, the ambitious BSRP is just limping. The executing authority, K-Ride doesn't have a full-time managing director. L&T which got one of the civil contracts recently threatened to walk out since even land was not fully transferred.

This is the current state of BSRP. I am sure 99% of the people are not even aware of this project, since it is happening adjacent to railway lines. It will die a slow sad death. Till then no new MEMU trains, because we are building the BSRP, remember?

[condor]

Originally Posted by after

Living in my own manufactured bubble is better than seeing the depressing reality daily, even if I'm aware of the existence of said bubble.

Being in a situation where I dont have to step out, I am, in a way, in such a bubble. Traffic + Parking issues means I have stopped going out for the heck of it. Step out only if necessary. When I can, I choose the time when the commute hours are over. Or even take the bus. (I need to step out in some time, and I will take a bus now).

But a bubble in the long run will become kind of a prison. May need to move to the out-skirts, if that will help ?

[am1m]

Originally Posted by condor

But a bubble in the long run will become kind of a prison.

Good point. Every once in a while I get the feeling that I am being too fussy and restricted. One drive for an extended period on Bangalore roads is enough to cure that! The first idiot/auto driver thug going the wrong way (and glaring at me like it is my fault!), the endless traffic jams, the potholes and perpetual road white topping or whatever and I realize my folly!

I actually have ended up visiting more Bangalore neighborhoods/areas than I ever would have if I had to drive/ride there, thanks to the Metro. Even the MG road area, I had stopped going there after college because getting parking even for a bike had become a hassle and the area was getting seedy. But after the Metro and the wider footpaths, the area has transformed.

Cubbon Park on no-traffic weekends is another happy place. I feel I am getting something back for my tax money in such places! I rarely go to Lalbagh, but that too has a Metro station nearby. Recently went for an evening of classical music and also visited the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace (last time I went there was in the 90s, in school!) Again, both because there was a Metro station very close by.

With the metro network set to expand, I hope they also improve pedestrian infra, and then more places will become accessible without the headache of using a car or bike in Bangalore.

[drive_in_peace]

Originally Posted by condor

Being in a situation where I dont have to step out, I am, in a way, in such a bubble. Traffic + Parking issues means I have stopped going out for the heck of it. Step out only if necessary.
But a bubble in the long run will become kind of a prison. May need to move to the out-skirts, if that will help ?

During covid, I moved to the outskirts of bangalore in the eastern part which is enroute to the airport as its mostly work from home for us. There was hardly any traffic in the immediate 10Km radius of this place. That was two years back. Now crossing the Budigere junction, even on a weekend noon takes about 20 mins. Thats just the start. Reaching anywhere within the core city, even on a Sunday noon takes minimum 1.5 hours. There have been multiple instances when we have taken a U turn in the middle and came back home canceling all our plans. (reaching the nearest metro station would itself take 40 mins at least. And the hassle of finding a parking spot) The last time i visited Koramangala was 2 years back. Its just not worth it anymore.
The only silver lining is the STRR, which can be joined near to Brigade Orchards society. Almost every weekend I along with my wife go to the Big bay highway pit stop. Total 4 hours of peaceful highway drive on weekends just for coffee. We have almost forgotten the core bangalore areas now. Happy for that.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

Around 15 years back, there was a citizen movement by Praja.in called "]NammaRailu to advocate the use of existing rail infrastructure and introduce at least few suburban trains. Despite obvious advantages that you have also pointed out, the project never got any backing from the mainline political parties. The main disadvantage of the project being that it was "a low hanging fruit" - i.e. no chance to make money for the politicos.

This is the current state of BSRP. I am sure 99% of the people are not even aware of this project, since it is happening adjacent to railway lines. It will die a slow sad death. Till then no new MEMU trains, because we are building the BSRP, remember?

I remember going for the Namma Railu campaigns. . As you mentioned, the BSRP will go no where and die in spite of contracts being awarded. Railways has no interest to give land or support it as they don't get anything in return. K-RIDE, the organization formed to execute this also has no real interest in it and does not even have a permanent MD. In fact railways actually put an additional spanner in the works by suddenly coming up with a plan to quadruple the Baiyappnahalli-Hosur line (where the doubling itself has not been done and has been going on forever). This basically meant that the original DPR and assumptions were no longer valid. So I guess it is destined to be stuck forever.

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

I remember going for the Namma Railu campaigns. . As you mentioned, the BSRP will go no where and die in spite of contracts being awarded...

Atleast near the Lottegollahalli and Yeshwanthpur stations I see that they have cleared space, leveled the land for the doubling of the tracks (I presume it is for the BSRP project). Perhaps the work in ongoing in scattered patches??
Hoping this project doesn't end up getting caught in a bureaucratic quagmire. It sure has the potential to reduce the traffic load on the IT & industrial belts.

[NPV]

What’s with the mess created by traffic cops at the War Memorial roundabout near Ulsoor lake?
Some weird shaped makeshift divider with concrete median blocks and new traffic lights on either side of Meanee Aveneue Road; this has made the place traffic jam hell!

I had to go that side in the afternoon yesterday and there was a heavy thundershower for a few minutes and all hell broke loose. Took me 20 minutes to cross that crazy junction.
Finally, the cops switched off the traffic lights and controlled (or at least they attempted to) traffic manually.

I think these are useless traffic lights and will prove to be counter productive causing unnecessary long jams, this will hold up traffic in all directions!

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by whitewing

Atleast near the Lottegollahalli and Yeshwanthpur stations I see that they have cleared space, leveled the land for the doubling of the tracks (I presume it is for the BSRP project). Perhaps the work in ongoing in scattered patches??
Hoping this project doesn't end up getting caught in a bureaucratic quagmire. It sure has the potential to reduce the traffic load on the IT & industrial belts.

Yes, that I think is the Corridor 1- Sampige Line, where there is some token progress, but there also work seems to be happening in 1-2 patches. Seems more like to show something is happening. The other line where Work Order was issued was the Corridor 4-Kanaka line. Looks like L&T completely stopped work on this after just a few months.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by drive_in_peace

...Total 4 hours of peaceful highway drive on weekends just for coffee. We have almost forgotten the core bangalore areas now. Happy for that...

Similar story, opposite direction. Living within a stone's throw (ok, more like an almighty heave but you get the sentiment) of NICE PESIT interchange, a round-trip to Mysore and back is far more peaceful than going to a hotspot in town for me.

Plenty of great eateries with relaxed ambiance, and the heavenly salted caramel + peanut crumble ice cream alone at SAPA is incentive enough! Friendly mod Vid6639 always chides me I'm driving to Mysore to get ice cream that's made in Indiranagar, I always tell him I'd rather drive to Mysore than Indiranagar, most days.

[itwasntme]

Gonna be fun!

An official said that considering the traffic density in the area, efforts are on to open at least one lane towards Mehkri Circle, pending approval from traffic police.

Hebbal Junction: Bangalore Development Authority To Launch Girder Over Railway Line
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../121194883.cms