With too many services, B1 centres struggle to cater to people

BangaloreOne (B1) centres across the City are having a tough time catering to people, what with too many services they have to provide. And people have started complaining about inefficient service and delays. 

Ayesha B, a resident of HBR Layout, said: “BBMP ward officers asked me to apply for an Aadhaar card at the BangaloreOne centre in my locality. It has been over a month since I applied. I have visited the centre more than ten times. The staff make me wait for long hours.” 

Jude Rajesh Ferrao from Kalyan Nagar complains of heavy rush at the BangaloreOne centre in his area. “Although a board has been put up, which says birth certificates are issued outside the BangaloreOne centre, no birth certificates are issued at all. Even paying electricity bills takes a lot of time. There should be separate counters for different services,” Ferrao added. 

Manjunath Reddy, Project Co-ordinator, BangaloreOne centre (Northeast zone), however, claimed that barring ration card applications, no services were delayed.

“Issuing ration card applications is a time-consuming affair as there are many forms to fill. Nearly 1,000 citizens visit this BangaloreOne centre every day. The number increases in the last few days of the month as people rush to pay the bills before deadlines. At major BangaloreOne centres, there are eight to 12 counters and three counters at mini centres,” he said. 

According to the e-governance department, there are more than 150 BangaloreOne centres in the City, including major and mini centres. BBMP officials said that 55 new B1 centres would be functional soon and they were in the process of handing them over to the e-governance department. 

“The new buildings will come up at Chokkasandra main road, Vijinapura road, Babusapalya service road and MEI Layout at Bagalakunte. While the e-governance department will handle the operations, the ownership of the properties will remain with us,” said S S Khandre, the BBMP PRO.