‘Recurrence of potholes an indicator of how money is spent’

Srinivas Alavilli, Janaagraha

Year after year, citizens of Bengaluru eagerly await the Karnataka Budget to see what is in store for them. Year after year, thousands of crores get allocated to Bengaluru. It is anyone’s guess how these thousands of crores are being utilized and if there are tangible benefits to the citizens. The recurrence of potholes promptly at every monsoon reminds us that no matter what the budget says, some things are constant.

It is important to note that Bengaluru is the only city of our state that gets a special section in the state budget. No other city gets this special treatment. One could justify this by pointing out that Bengaluru is the economic engine that drives Karnataka, but then, it is a big problem, if Bengaluru remains the only economic engine. We need 10 economic centres for a state as large as ours and as progressive, educated and entrepreneurial as Karnataka is. We cannot imagine the Union Budget highlighting one particular state, can we? When there is a Central Finance Commission that devolves funds to states by an acceptable formula, why is the state finance commission defunct?

BBMP is the City Government for Bengaluru. Since Bengaluru happens to the capital and seat of state government, many parastatals like BMTC, BESCOM, BWSSB, report into Government of Karnataka; BBMP is being run by administrators in lieu of elected council, thereby ceding the political control to MLAs, who are technically legislators for the state of Karnataka and not executive for the city of Bengaluru. Empowering the BBMP Mayor, Councillors is the only way we can build a sustainable city that we all dream of, but there are no signs of it in this budget.

It is strange to see that lakes are mentioned under the beautification of city! While Rs 5,550 crore is being spent on bringing more Cauvery water to meet the needs of the city, the budget does not convey in any shape or form that the Government intends to promote rain water harvesting or revive thousands of lakes that could serve the needs of our citizens without incurring hefty electricity bills to transport water 100 km.

It is good to see intent to fix the rajakaluves, to stop sewage from entering the storm water drains, by allocating a serious amount of money, though I suspect much more investment is needed.

The focus on public health infrastructure must be appreciated – Namma Clinics at every ward and super specialty hospitals are much needed in our city. Pandemic devastated many lives in our city, but it also made people aware of the PHCs and the wonderful services offered by public health care centres, closer to their homes and at no cost.

The lessons from the pandemic should have influenced the Government to make our city more inclusive and welcoming. Government should have allocated a significant amount of funds for developing affordable housing and upgrading infrastructure in slums, so that the lakhs of migrant workers that make Bengaluru home can live with dignity while their children have access to Anganwadis. India’s most happening city is built by the sweat and blood of construction workers from all corners of our country, and yet, we do not find any measures to express our gratitude.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee park is much welcome – we need a lot more of such parks in our city, as we are transforming into a brown city from the green city that we all take great pride in!