Tackle infrastructure woes, corruption

Tackle infrastructure woes, corruption
Question of the week
Which two main problems should the new government tackle on a priority basis?

The city’s infrastructure is pathetic. Development is taking place at snail’s pace. The new government should take this up on a war footing, and make Bangalore live up to its image as the IT capital of India. Secondly, corruption is a perennial problem. Even if the state can’t be a Ram rajya, it shouldn’t turn into a Ravan rajya.
Ajith Vasuki, Rajajinagar, Bangalore

Introduce electric power generators to meet urban and rural requirements. Implement Metro rail project soon to improve transportation.
M N Kesari, Vijaynagar, Bangalore

Remove the anti-IT image of the previous government. Improve infrastructure all over Karnataka, including villages. Bring back Narayana Murthy into BIAL.
Ramesh N, Pavagada

Repair rain damage on a war footing and prevent similar problems. Desilt storm water drains, and educate people to not dump garbage in drains. Tackle crime by intensifying police patrolling.
V Kannan, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore

Focus on the budget and introspect on the previous government’s budget proposals.
Shetty Gowda, Palace Guttahalli, Bangalore

Physician, heal thyself first. Nongovernance has been the main problem. Coalition politics is new to Karnataka. So the government should learn to function as a team, and not waste time indulging in mud-slinging and trading charges against each other. Steer back projects to improve Bangalore’s infrastructure.
Usha G Rao, BSK III Stage, Bangalore

Cancerous corruption and crumbling infrastructure. Prosecute corrupt officials trapped by the Lok Ayukta who should be given more powers.
S Sundara, R R Nagar, Bangalore

Improve infrastructure in urban areas to prevent IT companies from shifting base elsewhere. Provide more facilities to farmers, who were badly affected by the rains.
K V Vijaykumar, BSK III Stage, Bangalore

Tackle infrastructure and security issues.
Srinivasa Reddy, D C Palya, Bangalore

Deal with infrastructure and corruption. People have been patient for too long.
Lawrence Sebastian, J P Palya, Bangalore

Implement metro rail project to ease traffic congestion. Drop VAT on defence canteen items — it is demoralising for the state’s defence personnel, especially retired people and widows.
A K Gupta, Jal Vayu Vihar, Bangalore

New government should work towards stability since the state is new to coalition politics. It should not create an urban-rural divide, and look at how IT can help the state.
P T Shankaranarayanan, HAL II Stage, Bangalore

The first problem is within the government. It should complete the full term and tackle infrastructure problems and traffic chaos caused by oneway system.
P A Sukumaran, Rajajinagar II Stage, Bangalore

Redefine livelihood of rural people. Attend to unemployment and health care issues without lip service.
Jagadish Kalmath, Yelahanka, Bangalore

Eradicate crime and corruption, which is spreading like cancer in Bangalore.
Vimala Kesari, Vijaynagar, Bangalore

Set right the roads. Involve resident associations in the task. BMC engineers should be only handle bill payments and compliance with technical specifications. Ensure uninterrupted power supply.
H S Gopalan, J P Nagar, Bangalore

Learn from best practices of cities like Mumbai to bring in better traffic management. Repair trunk roads and mark lanes clearly. Reduce number of one-way roads.
T P Krishnanand, H S R Layout, Bangalore

Deploy more traffic police personnel since road users don’t follow rules.
Indranil Roy, Richmond Circle, Bangalore

Corruption-free system, complete transparency and accountability at all levels. Manjunath, Seppings Road, Bangalore The new government should work for the people, not for itself.
S Deepak Sharma, BSK III Stage, Bangalore

Road maintenance and retention of IT/BT sectors in Karnataka by co-ordinating with them to address their needs and prevent them from moving to other states.
S Ramanujam, recd via e-mail

The two partners should sincerely coordinate with each other. All ministers should clear pending files. They should avoid programmes such as opening ceremonies so that traffic isn’t stalled.
Ravi K Suri, recd via e-mail

Provide good infrastructure and maintain them well. Check inflation rate. The high commands shouldn’t dissolve the new government too by making provocative statements.
C Sathish Kumar, Bangalore

Prioritise road maintenance and safety issues. Take action against corrupt officials in CMCs and local civic bodies.
Ramanujam Santhanam, recd via email

Repair roads, provide and improve transport facilities in rural areas. Provide potable water in both rural and urban areas, besides quality electricity.
H M Rajeshwari, T K Layout, Mysore

Improve roads in both urban and rural areas. Provide remunerative prices for farmers’ produce, besides round-the-clock electricity for their pump-sets.
EXPERTSPEAK

The first priority of the government should be to create an enabling environment for economic activities to expand and flourish in both the urban and rural areas of Karnataka. Instead of dissipating energies in internal feuds, leaders should pay special attention to infrastructure such as roads, power, water, etc. for which large central funds and loans are available. Political leadership should recognise that the state will progress only when it competes well with other states that also tap the same resource pool. The second priority should be deliver the essential services and benefits that people need efficiently and without corruption and harassment. Poverty reduction, social harmony and development of backward areas can be achieved only through accountable governance. Leaders should show that they care for all communities and all parts of the state irrespective of economic and social status. If social disintegration and growing distrust of political leaders are to be reversed, government should demonstrate that it is capable of performing its basic functions.
Samuel Paul,
Public Affairs Centre