Can you believe it? Well I can’t
and I am not looking forward to it. This is an example of an announcement that
is going to get the government lots of wows, greats and awesomes. Just to make a comparison (without getting
into specifics) in the 2013 Assam state budget the government has announced
that it will earmark Rs.1800 crores just for this project (one project in one
city) and Rs.600 crores for flood prevention measures in the whole Brahmaputra
valley. Talk about priorities or rather the completely misplaced ones.
The metro is not a solution worth
the money. It is not going to solve the traffic problems of Guwahati as is
being made out. Let me give you 4 reasons why it is not a good idea –
1. Space Problem
o
Accepted that the Metro lines will be
constructed underground with all the modern and scientific knowledge and
equipment available but the stations will require huge areas for constructing
the stoppages or stations. Even if they are built over-ground where is the
space?
o
The said metro lines will be laid only in some
areas of the city connecting major points. It cannot be constructed anywhere
and everywhere. People willing to use the metro will have to come to the metro
station. The train stations will have to provide parking spaces for private
vehicles. People having cars will come on their own to the stations. Now these
people will need space to securely park their cars somewhere for the day. They
will park their vehicles there for the day and will board the train to their
work places and return in the evening by the train and go back to their homes
in their private vehicles. (This is not mere presumption – just go and check
the condition of any big cities like Mumbai or Delhi). This again will cause
massive traffic problems in the roads and streets near the train stations
during the rush hours.
2. Corruption Problem
o
Such huge investments in a single project will surely
result in large scale corruption among various quarters in the government
machinery. This is not mere speculation as, even though I don’t have any facts
to prove, it is a very well known that many people have made a killing of the
government fundings/investments for various projects. Such apprehensions arise
because the government has till now shown no inclination to even probe such
allegations let alone punish the guilty. To me this project only seems to be
helpful to the powerful cement and iron rod manufacturing companies who have
set up shop only to avail the tax exemptions given by the state.
3. Ecological Problem
o
The whole project from its inception to its
completion and then its use afterwards will be a bane for the fragile ecosystem
of the area. The whole process during its construction when huge areas will be
dug up, massive amounts of construction material like cement, iron rods etc
will be used, will result in massive pollution and exploitation of natural
resources.
4. The most important argument is against the idea that the metro will solve all the traffic problems. It is just wishful thinking and without any long term vision. It is a fact that whichever city has the most of the urban facilities attract most people (with dreams of better facilities) from its adjoining and other lesser developed areas. This process actually results into a vicious cycle that repeats itself. It is also a fact that more and more people are buying cars (Banks and Car manufactures are providing great deals that cannot be missed) as they are becoming more aspirational. It is very difficult to contain this aspiration of people. More people buying more cars will anyway choke the main roads and the available parking spaces.
I am no way against modernization
and development but this kind of development where exploitation of natural
resources is taken to the extent of devastation really appalls me. We have
developed this mentality that that development and modernization only means
building massive things. We are blindly following the so called western
developed countries whereby their way of living is only considered as modern
and something to be aspired for. I believe we can have our own direction of
modernization and development whereby we leave our natural resources for use by
our future generations. I believe that in what is called sustainable
development.
The government has decided to undertake
a feasibility study of the project but I doubt they will ever make the report
public whatever may be its recommendations. I doubt is they will ever ask for
the people’s views let alone act on them. With the coming elections the
government is surely going to use the development card and use the project as a
symbol of its commitment towards development. This is already evident with the
various TV commercials whereby the UPA government is glorifying its
achievements during the last 10 years.
So many problems that I am
getting overwhelmed and also getting bored as there seems to be no end to it. I
will put forth some solutions in my next post.
Do let me know what you think
about my views.
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