After serving the state in various capacities for over three decades, BBMP Commissioner, Siddaiah retires from administrative service on Friday. He spoke about various issues, including the civic agency’s efforts to tackle solid waste management.
Was there any proposal to extend your tenure?
There was no such offer and I had not asked for an extension. I will not stay here after 5.30 pm on Friday. Instead of talking about continuing me for another six months, it would have been good if I was posted here four months ago. I could have achieved much more.
Did you get required support from elected representatives?
My actions and streamlining of financial discipline may not have gone down well with them. But everybody respected me. More or less, everybody liked my style of working. They know me as a serious person to work with. May be there was certain level of discomfort, but they treated me well.
How about officials?
Officials are good. Some black sheep will be there in all places and the BBMP is not an exception. But I was able to build good team spirit.
What are your views on the water crisis?
When I see rain water being wasted, I feel sad. Bangaloreans are suffering without water and we are wasting water. On an average, in Bangalore, we get 800 to 1000 mm of rainfall every year and 25 tmc of water is available through rain water. It is going waste. If we retain 50 per cent of this, water crisis can be solved. There is a need to implement rain water harvesting.
What are your views on the condition of roads in the city?
I would like to see good roads like those near Jnana Bharathi campus. Now, we will have better roads as TenderSure is coming. As many as 83 roads will be widened and 86 roads will be developed. Five signal-free corridors have been finalised and sent to government for approval with an estimation of `604 crore. Once we manage garbage, our next priority should be improving road infrastructure. Roads needs to be upgraded and we should have pothole-free roads and better pavements.
Your views on garbage management
Every ward will have dry waste collection centres. All of us should be able to enforce 100 per cent segregation. This will substantially take away the burden from BBMP and landfills. We are also in the process of lessening the burden up to 1,500 tons with the help of bulk generators. We have augmented whatever Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) wanted from BBMP, including financial assistance and infrastructure. The two KCDC units at Chikkanagamangala and Kudlu will be able to handle 1,200 tons of segregated wet waste. With this, we will be able to see a cleaner Bangalore.
What about financial discipline in BBMP?
I have brought about financial discipline. Due to my persistence, the government also came to my rescue and released `400 crore and we could use it for many emergency needs like paying pending bills, loan repayment and others. We can get at least `4,000 crore through property tax. There is a lot of potential. Now, we have integrated voters’ list, BESCOM bills along with property tax.
Has the TVCC chief resigned?
I tried to retain Devaraj as head of TVCC, but he does not want to stay here. He told me that he will resign. He is one of the finest officers we have, it is very unfortunate that he is leaving. He is very honest and doesn’t like wasting maoney. That is the kind of people we need here
What next?
My involvement with the city will be the same even after retirement. This is my city, my home and I have lived here for 43 years. I studied at Central College and I am a product of Bangalore University. I am not retiring from active service. Many educational institutes and companies are asking me to join them as an adviser. I will have my hands full even after retirement. I am a devoted agriculturist and it is my first love.
