Six ideas for a better Karnataka

A Metropolitan Planning Committee with adequate financial backing and funds for the Bengaluru ministry to propel the city’s growth are only some of the suggestions experts have to make it a better place. They have pinned their hopes on the state Budget fulfilling their expectations.

Roads, drains and more...
For the first time we have a Bengaluru Development minister. The government must now make  allocation for mega projects like arterial roads and major storm water drains to improve the city’s infrastructure under his supervision. The BBMP, which will also present its own budget shortly, should take up only local projects, leaving more important work to be carried out using these government grants. The state Budget should consider making a separate allocation, of say Rs 5,000 crore, for mega city projects.
V. Ravichander, Civic evangelist

Manage our waste
The budget must focus on implementing projects at a faster pace. Every taxpayer and investor is waiting for a better tomorrow with improved infrastructure and waste management in the city. The government must understand that development of Bengaluru will not only help the city grow but also indirectly support the development and growth of other cities. It must strengthen mobility infrastructure in the city and give due importance to its solid waste management, health sector and water sustainability. Unlike previous Budgets, the government must utilise the allocated funds and carry out its proposals as promised.
Revathy Ashok, CEO, Bengaluru Political Action Committee (BPAC)

Where have all the buses gone?
Namma Metro has become a joke with the BMRCL regularly postponing the deadlines for its completion. There has been no clarity on when Phase 1 will become fully operational,  let alone Phase 2. The delay has gone out of hand. There has to be more commitment from government agencies to completing such mega projects within the given time frame. When fully operational, Namma Metro  will connect all the key areas, easing congestion on roads. The Budget should also add more buses to the BMTC fleet.  Instead of looking at the BMTC as a profit-making entity, the government must understand that it is an urban utility. When there are more buses, more people will use public transport.
Naresh Narasimhan, Architect     

Clean up our lakes
A lot has been said about conservation of lakes but we don’t see anything on the ground. Though every year allocations are made in the Budget, funds are not fully utilised. The state government must focus on inter-linking of lakes and reducing their contamination. Illegal entry of sewage into lakes is killing them, especially where illegal construction is rampant. It’s time serious attention was paid to reviving these water bodies. Several proposals, which have remained only on paper, must be implemented at least by next year.  If we had proper infrastructure to conserve lakes, the last few days’ rain would have increased their water level.
Dr Meenakshi Bharath, Member, Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative

Get our kids back to school
The quality of education must improve in the state if we want to see more children in schools. Currently, most government schools are not accessible enough or have no toilets. The state government’s expenditure on human resources in schools is higher than that  of  private schools as its school teachers get pension and other benefits. But despite spending more, it  has not been able to improve the quality of education. A while ago the government came up with the ‘adopt a school’ scheme, but it fizzled out. Like  other states, Karnataka must introduce schemes to attract girl children to schools. Although cycles are given in some villages, it’s not helping improve their enrolment.
Nina Nayak, Child rights activist

Can’t slide back to square one
Bengaluru needs long term water and energy sustainability. More has to be done on this front as many areas still go without water for several days at a time. The state government must also have a growth plan and focus on improving urban mobility in the city. It must focus on a commuter rail, peripheral ring roads, doubling of the BMTC bus fleet and on on-street parking management.  Budgetary support to strengthen the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) is essential as well. Agencies like the BDA, BBMP, BMRDA can only plan and take up work under their respective limits, but  when a higher planning authority like the MPC gets financial support, there will be better planning and execution of projects. If the MPC does not get the monetary support it needs, many infrastructure works will proceed at a snail’s pace and the city will be back to square one.
Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation