BENGALURU: Solutions to civic issues faced by Bengaluru citizens were proposed by H S Doreswamy, freedom fighter, and members of United Bengaluru, an umbrella organisation of 750 Residents Welfare Associations, at a meeting organised at Mission Road on Sunday. Commercialisation of residential areas, development of basic infrastructure services, waste management crisis, human trafficking, quarrying activities in Eco-Sensitive Zones and pollution of water bodies were some of the key issues that were highlighted during the two-hour meeting.
Kathyayini Chamaraj, Citizens’ Voluntary Initiative for the City (CIVIC), said, in urban areas there is no sabha to manage a particular ward and the representatives are not nominated by either the Commissioner or Councillor. She added, “The metropolitan planning committee, which was formed only after a high court order, is largely dysfunctional. People should be given the power to plan, monitor and do the social auditing in each ward as this would put an end to the garbage and real estate mafia. Garbage problem can be solved locally by setting up centralised waste processing plants in all wards and the bio gas from garbage can be used as a fuel for running last mile connectivity vehicles.”
Sanjeev, founder of Praja, an organisation working on solving urban civic issues in the city, said, “The government should start implementing suburban rail along with multi-modal integration with metro and BMTC so that last- mile connectivity is ensured.” He said, “Time-bound setting up of 198 composting plants and sewage treatment plants in all wards will help solve the garbage issue. There should be a committee to monitor the air and water pollution levels.” Furthermore, Sanjeev stressed that the water bodies of Bengaluru needed to be fenced to avoid encroachments and prevent pollution.
Another issue discussed upon was the dumping of Refuse Derived Fuel, a fire hazard in the area in Karnataka Compost Development Plant in HSR Layout. The improper processing of pollution of the Somasundarapalya and Sompura lake has made the life of residents living in the area miserable.
Doreswamy said, “A few from our organisation should be allowed to meet the CM before the presentation of the budget so that we can propose some ideas which are focussed on serving common man’s interests.”