Can new B’lore chew all that it can bite?

Can new B’lore chew all that it can bite?
Deccan Herald

Bangalore has access to 900 MLD of Cauvery water, but 40% of this is lost in transit. The City also has a waste-water treatment plant with a capacity of 650 MLD, but only 35 per cent of sewage water is treated...

Imagine a City with abundant resources, yet suffering from deficient services. Or, for that matter, boasting the latest infrastructure but not able to utilise them fully. So, what in a nutshell does the City of Bangalore lack?

The ‘last-mile link’, chorused panelists at an interactive session on ‘Urban Governance and Bangalore’, organised by the Bangalore International Centre here on Monday.

“Bangalore has access to 900 MLD (million litres per day) of Cauvery water, but 40% of this is lost in transit. The City also has a waste-water treatment plant with a capacity of 650 MLD, but only 35 per cent of sewage water is treated, while the rest take a short cut to the nearest stormwater drains or waterbodies,” said Mr Anand K Jalakam, project development specialist of USAID.

“We need private agencies who can manage sewage outlets (collection) and perhaps play a crucial role in operation and maintenance of the water supply network,” he added.

The next point to be dissected was the Masterplan developed by the Bangalore Development Authority, which still has ‘archaic laws’ governing land use.

Vertical challenge

“If vertical development is a solution, especially for the urban poor, will the BDA also assure them of efficient water supply even to the top-most floor or will the womenfolk be forced to sacrifice their time and health on this count?,” asked Ms Padmini, a participant.

Has the Masterplan regularised transgressions over the the last 10 years? Will the BDA widen the scope of a CA site, considering the New-Age demands like those for multiplexes, bigger and layered parking lots, etc?

“Mixed localities (both commercial and residential) have cropped up over the past few years.

But that’s inevitable. Redefining a CA site by including multistorey parking, sports complex, gym etc, would only help create self-contained layouts.

“However, we would earmark regional parks (of 100 acres each) in the new layouts, provide all services at the door-step by roping in private players, who will also sign a 30-year maintenance contract,” said BDA Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda.

Said Dr A Ravindran, Vice-Chairman of the Karnataka Planning Board, “Water would be a limited factor in Bangalore’s growth. We need to strengthen ward committees for better governance. However, the most important indicator of development is law enforcement and compliance.”