The horrific incident of a 76-year-old retired teacher on a morning walk being mauled to death by stray dogs has shaken our collective conscience. Just a thought of what happened to her in a city like Bengaluru sends shivers down the spine, ushering in a sense of indignation.
The unfortunate incident should open our eyes to the state of affairs — not just the stray dog menace, but all the problems plaguing our cities and towns. Many of the problems may have always been there, and they may not be unique to Bengaluru alone, as most cities face such issues, too. But, that is no excuse for not taking a dispassionate view of the situation, and demanding that corrective measures be taken up.
The stray dogs’ issue the challenges of handling the humongous quantities of waste generated daily the condition of roads in many localities; and the flooding of low-lying areas and underpasses that endanger motorists’ lives should be addressed on a war-footing with all available resources and expertise before the state embarks on ambitious projects like tunnel roads or the sky deck.
Since January this year, over 16,800 dog bite cases have been reported in the state capital, which has a stray dog population of over 2.79 lakh. While the officials may claim that incidents of dog bites and the population of stray dogs have reduced over the years, the latest case only shows that the situation has only worsened with citizens having to worry about their safety even during morning walks. A senior official, who worked with the civic agency for several decades, said he had never heard of any adult being mauled to death by stray dogs in the city.
The civic authorities seem to have failed to keep the canine numbers under check with the effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. The ABC programme has to be a continuous process without a break.
The authorities need to intensify the efforts by taking all stakeholders into confidence. The problem isn’t with the stray dogs as much as it is with the manner in which we handle them. It needs compassion while handling the animals, but without compromising on the due processes of law.
This is the collective responsibility of the government agencies as well as society. The dogs should be fed only in designated places and not in areas frequented by senior citizens and children as that could put them in harm’s way. Disposal of waste by the roadside, especially by small eateries and meat shops, should be curtailed. Public participation is crucial in keeping the city clean and eliminating black spots where locals dump their waste. Ironically, such black spots can be seen even in many residential localities in the state capital. There is always a limit to what the authorities can do when citizens fail to fully cooperate with them.
Solid waste management is another big challenge that the civic authorities and the government have not been able to tackle effectively despite spending hundreds of crores annually.
Urban flooding and potholed roads are also equally serious concerns. All these issues are interconnected and need to be addressed, failing which the image of the city takes a beating. Bengaluru is the economic powerhouse of the country and a global technology hub. People from across the country work, live and call Bengaluru their home.
Earlier this week, during his meeting with the 16th Finance Commission Chairman Dr Aravind Panagariya, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that Bengaluru requires Rs 55,586 crore over the next five years, and demanded a Rs 27, 793 crore grant from the Central Government. The Centre should recognise this special contribution of the tech city and heed the request for grants.
However, the utilization of funds and planning should not be completely under the monopolistic domain of politicians. Civil society should be involved right from the planning stage of the bigger projects, which should be undertaken transparently. Projects must be open for public audit at any time. Checks and balances can be put in place to ensure that citizens’ participation does not cause impediments, but ensures active involvement. All projects and programmes are ultimately meant for the people of the state, not just for politicians, officials, or contractors.