The Deccan Chronicle 04.08.2010
Heritage corridor in heart of city
The Palike wants to give more room for walkers and seating along the corridor for those who need to catch their breath or want to take in the sights leisurely. So, what gives? Vehicular parking will have to go, as per the plans. In place of all that honking, there will be musical bands – playing just for you as you walk along these streets. The footpaths will be broadened and upgraded to ‘international standards’.
To begin with, the War Memorial at the junction of Brigade Road and Residency Road will be made accessible to people. “We are planning to build steps around the memorial so that people who visit it can sit for a while. The walkway between Mayo Hall and Brigade Road will be upgraded to international standards, on the lines of the newly laid Vittal Mallya Road, so that it becomes pedestrian-friendly,” said Vivek Menon, adviser to BBMP.
That involves doubling the width of the footpaths and building a new subway that will lead into Mayo Hall and Bangalore Central mall, a member of the committee overseeing the plans said. The project is awaiting funds, which its backers are hopeful will be allocated in the upcoming BBMP budget. “We will get a part of the money from the Metro rail corporation under the local area development agreement signed with the BMRCL. In the future, the entire central business district could be connected through the Metro and the heritage corridor,” the member said.
Urban planners suggest that similar plans should spread throughout the central business district and parking should be moved to its periphery where multi-level parking complexes can be built.
