Bengaluru: Bengalureans had great expectations from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when he assumed office, but he has failed to live up to them. Its been two years since he promised to fix the garbage problem, but the city is still in a mess, its roads are unmotorable, and the ongoing work on flyovers, underpasses, and signal- free corridors continues at a snail’s pace. The city , which is the money spinner for the state, is not getting its due, regret urban experts.
Ms Katyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee of CIVIC underlines that Bengaluru, which is home to almost 20 per cent of the state’s population, needs special attention in the coming state Budget to become livable again.
“The state needs to provide for a suburban as well as a circular rail system for the city and a rail link to the airport from a nearby existing railway station, all of which can come at one-tenth the cost of the Metro Rail and elevated corridors. The Budget should also provide for creating a land bank to provide ownership housing as well as social rental housing for the urban poor and migrant workers. Providing them proper housing with water and toilets with a sewerage network is essential not only for their health but also to make the entire lake and ground water system of Bengaluru sustainable and free of pollution. The city also needs anganwadi-cum-day-care centres in every ward for children under six if it is to meet the national human development goals and shift the focus from mere GDP growth,” she says.
Adds urban expert, Ashwin Mahesh, “What we really hope for each year is that the government of the day will finally begin to catch up with the problems we face, and not leave them to a future administration to solve. But that involves more than money. It requires intent and purposefulness to solve public problems.” However, sceptical about the state Budget, former corporator, N. R. Ramesh regrets that its promises don’t always translate into reality.
“Last year,the Chief Minister assured Rs 2,626 crore for the city. But only just over Rs 1,000 crore actually reached tge BBMP,” he points out .
Need more tenderSure stretches
City needs moreTenderSURE roads that are pedestrian and bicycle- friendly. Being long lasting and durable, they must be built without compromising the right of way for vehicles
Where are Elevated roads?
East - West and North - South elevated corridors have been planned at a whopping Rs 18,000 crore to provide easy connectivity in the city. Its time the corridors were allocated funds to take them forward on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
Commuter rail not chugging?
Considering the increasing traffic, there is huge demand for a commuter or circular train to make travel easier for Bengalureans.
Projects that need state’s financial assistance
Tripling the BMTC fleet
Expanding walkability in the city by implementing the TenderSURE project across 500 roads
Bus transit points at all intersections of Big 10 roads with the Outer Ring Road
At leaset Rs 400 crores each year to support low income housing
Transfer of some taxes collected from local economic activity (profession tax, fuel taxes and stamp duties) to local governments.
A rental housing development scheme
In-school vocational training programme for high school and college students
A Commuter Rail System for suburban travel
The Matthondu Cauvery programme for long-term water security
Regional Development Council focusing on economic development
