Karnataka Budget a huge disappointment for people keen on better access to mobility

Vinay K Sreenivasa

For those keen on better mobility which common people can use and afford, Friday’s budget turned out to be a major dampener. The crisis of poverty in Bengaluru, and in urban areas in general, have aggravated post the pandemic and lockdown. Surveys have shown middle income families falling into lower income levels. Its also well known that in conditions of increased vulnerabilities, it’s women, girl children and other vulnerable communities who face the worst impact and deprivation.

Under these circumstances, BBPV (Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike) had run a twomonth long process to understand the issues of mobility that common people are facing. Public hearing before a people’s jury brought out the brewing insecurities in which people are living, how people are forced to give up on education, health and nutrition given the high cost of travel. Based on the widespread concerns we saw and the report of the jury as well, BBPV had campaigned for reducing fares, making travel free for women and allocating 1000 Cr to BMTC to implement these. The petition with thousands of signatures was submitted to the Transport Minister and Chief Minister. The BMTC vice-chairman too had made a similar representation to the government.

The budget evokes a deep sense of betrayal for the common people of Bengaluru. Ordinary people and their daily concerns or survival linked to mobility has not been given its rightful attention by the govt. There was absolutely no mention of bus transport, no allocation of funds for BMTC (the city’s lifeline) and no reduction of fares for common people, nor free travel for women and other vulnerable communities.

Its also deeply disturbing to note that misplaced focus on roads and metros continue to drive the budget and public spending priorities on mobility. These infrastructure and investments don’t serve the common people.

They don’t address the problem of congestion either. These kinds of projects have been shown again and again to not be solutions for majority of the city. Yet, these sectors capture the budget allocations and investment disproportionately.

Unless the government recognises this flawed agenda when it comes to mobility and spends on undeserving sectors, the city’s mobility crisis or economic crisis will not end.

(The writer is a human rights lawyer.)