Slow traffic affecting productivity: Azim Premji

Create Vision Group e-platform for citizens' participation: Shaw

Transparency, coordination among various civic agencies, transportati­on, water security, lakes and garbage-related issues dominated the first meeting of the Bengaluru Vision Group chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday.

After a power-point presentation by Additional Chief Secretary Mahendra Jain about various projects taken up by the government and its many agencies, Wipro chairman Azim Premji pointed out the plight of commuters in a city which generates 45% of Karnataka's GDP. “The mobility of vehicles has slid from 40 kmph to 20 kmph affecting the productive hours. We need to think over it.”

For smooth vehicular movement, he suggested fixing the potholes, zero tolerance towards traffic violations, removal of encroachments and creating better infrastructure facilities. Emphasising on water security, Premji lamented that Rs 450 crore is spent on pumping water to Bengaluru, of which 40 per cent is wasted.

“We can rejuvenate lakes with treated water. We need to revive lakes and make them fit for drinking water purposes. We can take the help of domain experts and draw up an appropriate action plan,” he said.

A similar view on lakes was echoed by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon, who urged the planners to revive lakes for water security. “Only 25% of sewage is treated. The rest goes to the lakes and pollutes them. We need an efficient water management system,” said Shaw. She laid emphasis on improving the public transport system to decongest the city roads, besides demanding a proper debris disposal mechanism. Shaw said the Vision Group can be successful if an e-platform is created, allowing common citizens to participate in the planning process.

Another member of the group B S Patil, who also heads the BBMP restructuring committee, pointed out lacunae in the present BBMP. He said it is not capable of managing the city properly, given its size.

“The zones and wards are unscientific. The corporation should allow citizens to participate and interact with the governing body,” said Patil. He highlighted the absence of future planning for the city.

In his address, former BBMP commissioner K Jairaj said, “We should not limit the group to a section of people. Let others too have a say.”