A great idea but please execute it soon, Mr CM

A great idea but please execute it soon, Mr CM
H S Balram
The Times of India

The cry for attention by Bangalore’s seven ‘cousins’ has been heard, at last. These badly maintained CMCs around the IT city, housing some of the top global companies, will be integrated with the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike under the Greater Bangalore Plan, on the lines of the National Capital Region (Delhi) and Greater Mumbai. Once the feasibility study is done — by a private party that has agreed to do it free of cost — modalities of governing them will hopefully be in place. This decision should have been taken long ago. Though belated, it’s a wise move.

Bad roads, clogged drains, irregular water and power supply, encroachments, poor transport, scarcity of funds, lethargic/ corrupt officials and an insensitive government have been the bane of people living in these areas. Last year, an unprecedented downpour caused havoc. Rain and sewage water entered houses. Several localities lay inundated for several days. People went without food and water. Many fell ill. They held dharnas and demonstrations.

What did the elected representatives do? Tried to derive political mileage. They made a beeline to the affected localities, only to fish in troubled waters. The opposition, as expected, blamed it all on the government. And the ruling coalition blamed it on the previous government. Tall promises were made but they remained on paper. Relief measures were announced. They were too inadequate.

Expert advice came in plenty. Bring CMCs under BMP. Form Bangalore I & II, with CMCs coming under the latter. Float a Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Authority to act as an umbrella for all civic agencies. Create a special purpose vehicle, Bangalore Urban Infrastructure Local Development Corporation (BUILD)... The ideas, brilliant as they may have been, became good topics for discussion at seminars.

The JD(S)-BJP coalition has made the first move. It has agreed to form Greater Bangalore in principle. Good, but that is not enough. It must move fast and come out with an action plan. Involve the private sector. Crack the whip and show the door to the corrupt. Break the politicianofficial-contractor nexus. Deploy efficient and hands-on officials. Bring all civic agencies under one umbrella for better coordination. Fix deadlines.

Brand Bangalore is losing its sheen. It must get back its lost glory. Here is a good chance for the Kumaraswamy government to make a mark. A lot of political will is needed. Citizens are watching.