JOIN US Transparency in terms of updating the public on the ongoing developmental projects in Bangalore does not seem to top the list of priorities of the City civic bodies.
While the promised website of nammabengaluru.com, that was to update the people on the development of the ongoing works in the city has not taken off at all, a look at the existing websites of City-based agencies shows nothing but works that were completed anywhere from two months to two years! Meanwhile, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has listed a hotline that should work 24 hours as per their website, but does not answer even while being called at during normal hour in weekdays.
While most officials of the City-based agencies gave an excuse of being unaware of their own websites not being updated, some in fact have been allegedly discussing the matters with their department heads.
Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) website, www.bdabangalore.org, states in its list of “On-going” works, the Junction of Magadi Road-Chord Road scheduled to be completed by June 2007 and the Outer Ring Road work between Mysore Road and Magadi Road.
“Is that so? I shall direct my officials to update the matter,” said BDA Town Planning member, Srinivas when Deccan Herald enquired on the reasons for the BDA website not being updated. Srinivas believes that one of the reasons for the delay in updating their ongoing projects since 2006 is due to e-Procurements!
BBMP Commissioner, Subramanya on Monday confirmed that the BBMP website has not been updated in past four days because of the consolidation of works being carried out by Palike and change in the website format. “We had a meeting with the RTI activists four days ago on the issue of transparency and have already started updating the website in this regard,” he said. The Commissioner said that some of the names of his new officials were also missing from the website and that was also being addressed to by the Palike.
But a look at the BBMP website, www.bmponline.org shows the link to Major Works (New) that in fact shows works that have been already completed or nearing completion under the scroll bar stating “Ongoing Works”. This list has been on display for the past few months.
Another city agency that highlights the apathy in updating its website and placing the progress of their works in front of the people is BWSSB. The website outlines the projects that shall be taken up shortly, but has no distinction of works completed and works that are on-going in the city. The website also has “Yet to be Completed” on several of their works which have been allotted money and completed too.