Higher revenue, garbage clearance, better roads new mayor's priorities

Newly elected Mayor G Padmavathi on Wednesday said increasing the BBMP’s revenue, streamlining solid waste management and improving road infrastructure to minimise traffic congestion are among her priorities.

Padmavathi told reporters after being elected as mayor, “This year, we had set a target of Rs 3,100 crore as property tax revenue and could mop up Rs 1,860 crore so far. We will strive to achieve the target in the next five months of the current financial year.”

Stressing that her policies will be guided by the 2018 Assembly elections, Padmavathi said she would take the opposition members along. She said a coordination committee comprising Congress and JD(S) and other allies will be formed to take policy decisions. She said she would resolve the charges of discrepancies on fund allocations at the local level.

To a question, Padmavathi justified the stormwater drain encroachment removal drive and said it will continue. She denied charges of discrimination between rich and poor while taking action.

Talking about the garbage problem in the city, the newly elected mayor said she will emphasise on public participation. She said, “We will contemplate imposing penalties for not segregating waste at source.”

She hailed the TenderSURE roads but felt that some footpaths were too wide. She said the width of the footpaths will be decided based on the requirement.  She added that she would take up widening of roads to ease traffic congestion. Padmavathi said new parking lots will be created to decongest roads.

Padmavathi conceded that there were cases registered against her by the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force but refrained from commenting on them saying they were sub-judice.