Bring us under one roof: civic agencies

Bring us under one roof: civic agencies
The Times of India

Bangalore: Dig, dig, dig — roads are dug up by BWSSB, Bescom and BSNL. Either simultaneously or one after the other. Result: Roads are dug up perpetually.

What is the solution for such problems? A single civic authority to oversee works of various agencies as suggested by CM Dharam Singh. Singh said that at a meeting with PM Manmohan Singh. He told him that Bangalore should have an overall metropolitan authority, to ensure proper development.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, for instance, is responsible for development of Mumbai Metropolitan Region which comprises the megacity of Mumbai and its hinterland. It is the apex body for planning and co-ordination of development activities in the region.

Not just Delhi or Mumbai, most cities in the world have a body at the metropolitan level that provides a masterplan, coordinates major projects and coordinates the activities of different civic organisations. Jean-Philippe Lestang, head of SCE Creocean, which is helping to put together a new comprehensive development plan for Bangalore, says a body to provide a ‘global’ vision — a vision at the level of the urban agglomeration — and for multilateral coordination is absolutely necessary. “Such bodies exist in all cities in the US and Europe,” he says.

Lestang notes that the BWSSB has implemented a huge sewerage project for CMCs without any consultation with any town planning authority. “The BMRDA (Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority) was supposed to be the nodal body, but it has been removed from the frontline.’’ But what do the civic agencies have to say? They all agree that a single authority will lead to better co-ordination among the agencies.

BWSSB chairman S.K. Pattanayak:

I think it will lead to better co-ordination of all the city agencies. What happens right now is that BWSSB takes up road cutting for laying pipes. After that, BSNL does the same and then Bescom again digs up to lay cables. But if there is a single command to co-ordinate the works, there will be better dialogue among the civic agencies too.

BDA commissioner M.N. Vidyashankar:

This was long overdue. It is time such an apex body was set up not only for coordination among stakeholders but also for portraying a unified face to all the users of different services in the city.

BMTC MD Upendra Tripathy:

An umbrella body will ensure better co-ordination. For instance, for bus services on Ring Road, bus shelters have to be built and traffic has to be regulated. And each agency has its limitations. With one agency controlling it, work can happen faster with minimal intervention.

BCC commissioner K. Jothiramalingam:

Co-ordination will be better once there is a single controlling agency. Abroad, a corporation or includes water supply, electricity, sewage, even the police. Here, each civic agency has a different board and separate agenda. Like BCC’s asphalting plan is different from Bescom’s.

V.M. Chandregowda, MDin-charge and director (Technical) at Bangalore Electricity Supply Company:

The CM announced his decision, we will follow it.

MUMBAI METROPOLITAN REGION DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
WHAT IT DOES

The authority is responsible for development of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), comprising the megacity of Mumbai and hinterland. It is an apex body for planning and co-ordination of development activities in the region. It’s goal: achieving balanced development of the region

Strategies

Preparation of perspective plans
Promotion of alternative growth centres
Strengthening of infrastructure facilities
Provision of development finance
To implement strategies, MMRDA prepares plans, formulates policies and programmes and helps in directing investments in the region.
It conceives, promotes and monitors the key projects for developing new growth centres and bring about improvement in sectors like transport, housing, water supply and environment in the region.
If a project is of significance, MMRDA takes up implementation.

WHO’S THERE

The authority has 17 members, with state minister for urban development as chairman.

Other members are minister for housing, minister of state for urban development, mayor of Mumbai, chairman of standing committee, three councillors of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, two members of Maharashtra assem bly, one member of the council chief secretary, municipal commissioner of Greater Mumbai Corpora tion, secretary of urban develop ment and housing, managing direc tor of City and Industrial Develop ment Corporation of Maharashtra and metropolitan commissioner MMRDA.

IN BANGALORE

Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA) was set up to regulate growth of areas around Bangalore in a planned manner and also co-ordinate the functions of BDA, BWSSB, KSRTC, Bescom, Karnataka Slum Clearance Board and Bangalore City Corporation.

STATUS: The organisation today restricts itself to the first role.