We know there is a solution to every problem. But the city corporation appears to have a knack for creating problems for every other solution they come up with. Their subway proposal iullustrates the point.

MCC Solution: The city corporation recently announced plans to build subways under Sayyaji Rao and Dhanvantri roads for the convenience of pedestrians and to facilitate flow of traffic.

Problems: a) It's doubtful if much of the pedestrians would find it convenient to use the subway. Expereince in other cities point to a tendency among people to dart across the street, dodging traffic, rather than, stepping down into the subway and stepping up and out at the other side of the street.

b) Subways attract hawkers and beggers who set up shop, underground.

c) It isn't easy to keep it clean. To get a feel of the stink it can raise one need go no farther than the subway in front of the Bangalore railway station.

d) Water-logging after every sharp shower.

There are those like H R Bapu Satyanaryana of MATF who doubt the necessity of having subways, if only people would have road sense, use zebra crossings (where pedestrians, not motorists, have the right of way, always) and generally observe traffic discipline.

His Message to MCC: Think before you invest on subways. For the money you commit there could be released for more useful projects, such as multi-level parking lots.

I agree with Bapu, on nine counts out of ten, but have a problem with his multi-level parking lots idea. We could articulate our thoughts on it, in another message, some other time.