Downturn in Bangalore

A drive around Bangalore will tell you the extent to which the slowdown has hit the city. There are ‘To-Let’ boards all over the city for both residential and commercial places. There wasn’t a single shop available in central business areas or market places. Even if available it came at a high premium. Now shop space in available for rent even in the busiest of commercial areas. Places where there used to be perennial traffic jams now have smooth flowing traffic. This could also be that the timings of quite a few software companies have been extended and hence very few people are returning home around 6.30 pm everyday.

Landlords are unwilling to rise the stipulated 5% in rentals which was the norm earlier. The reason is a sharp drop in rentals across the city. The tenants can just pack their bags and rent another similar space thus saving anywhere between Rs. 1000 to 5000 per month on rental and maintenance. There are quite a few PG accommodations empty thanks to the layoffs. The ex-employees, not having many job choices, are leaving for the city. They hope to cut down on their maintenance expenses this way and return when the tide turns in the job market.

The crowd at the multiplexes and malls is also thinning. Earlier one used to avoid driving on the road in front of a mall in the evenings and weekends for the fear of a traffic jam. The traffic police and the security personnel of the mall used to have a tough time controlling the incoming crowd. Now the traffic police must be happy that only one policeman can man the place.

I was amazed to find availability in trains in the months of April and May. This is the summer vacation time and every year Indian Railways runs extra trains as ‘Summer Specials’ to cater to the vacation crowd. Looks like people do not want to go to vacation for the fear of losing their jobs.

The worst effected are the ones who have EMIs to pay. They fear taking a day off even when they are sick. The rise in interest rates hasn’t helped them in the recent past. They cannot hope to get out as the value of property has fallen and they cannot repay the loan even if they sell the property. Quite a few people are willing to relocate and take up any role as long as it helps them get a monthly cheque to pay the EMIs. These are the very people who earlier were spoilt for choice in office location, designation and pay.

Though the whole scenario is depressing, there is a silver lining. Car pooling and using public transport is also on the rise. People are extra careful nowadays in saving power hoping to cut down on their monthly expenses. Those who used to take the car out even for a short trip to the grocery store are now walking that one kilometer. Hope this prudence continues in future so that Bangalore can be cleaner and greener place.

Conservation - whose job is it?

Many activists cry out loud about citizens being aware of environmental issues and how conservation is everybody's job. In today's newspaper also I saw the mind-boggling numbers about the power wastage by households. I think the push should also be from the side of government and industry.

Many times I've noticed that the street lights are on till 10 am. Water tankers which carry water are filled to the brim and nearly one-third of it is spilled on the streets. Government vehicles and public transport emit more pollution than private run vehicles. Fans, lights and monitors of desktops are not switched off in offices. 

The government can begin by using solar panels for all street lights, signals and government offices. The street lights are to be turned off at sunrise. The bill payment counters can have solar lighting as they are open only for a short time during the day. The government should also look at replacing old fixtures like fans in its offices which use more electricity. 

There should be a common law applicable for all vehicles regarding pollution check. When police can stop and fine private vehicles, why can't they do the same for public buses? Autos and trucks are also ignored as police fear backlash from the drivers. 

What about car pooling for public officials who head towards the same destination? This way they would also be able to pool the security forces which follow them on the way.

With the political parties taking to streets due to the upcoming elections, they should be held responsible for cleaning up all the filth they cause. Has anyone ever seen the place where a rally was held? party flags, pamphlets, etc all scattered around. The poor municipality sweepers work over night to ensure clean roads for the next day. Ditto for the grounds that the politicians use for giving speeches. The litter that is spread is immeasurable.

When the government takes up the responsibility, it sets an example for people to follow. As the saying goes, 'yadha raaja, thatha praja'. (As the king does, so do the citizens)

Happy Women's Day

I saw interviews of famous women in the papers today. They are all well established in their careers. This lead me to think about the unknown faces of all those women who silently contributed to the success of others. I salute the homemakers of the world who have inspired and supported their family members to succeed and took pride in their success.

You read my article on this at:

http://www.springofthoughts.com/fullarticle.php?articleID=34

Happy Women's Day to all !!

Pavements

Lack of pavements was once considered dangerous since the pedestrian had to navigate the traffic. But walking on pavements has become more dangerous of late in India. I was in for a shock one day when I was walking on the pavement and I heard someone honking his horn constantly behind me. When I looked back I was surprised to find a biker speeding towards me on the pavement!! I jumped aside to let him pass.

Pavements in India are not for pedestrians but also business place for small vendors during evenings, ultra poor people's home during night and encroachment areas for others. Add to this the two-wheelers. Pavements have become a short cut for two wheelers which look at navigating traffic jams. This has made pavements dangerous for walkers. Pavements were elevated in order to ensure that the traffic does not spill over to that area. But that has not dissuaded bikers from driving on them, taking many a pedestrians by surprise.

There are many instances of fatal accidents. Whom to blame for this? Huge traffic which has led the bikers to drive on pavements? Lax attitude of traffic police for not penalizing such bikers? Bikers themselves who are not following rules? No matter with whom the blame lies, it is the common man who suffers.