Bengaluru: Waste woes, unauthorised constructions dominate public meet

Bengaluru: Complaints related to garbage mismanagement and unauthorised constructions dominated a public grievance meeting held at the head office of the Bengaluru City Central Corporation on Thursday, with residents flagging a range of civic issues in their neighbourhoods.

Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao and Central Corporation Commissioner Rajendra Cholan received complaints directly from citizens in the presence of engineers. What's more, the turnout exceeded officials' expectations.

A total of 65 tokens were distributed to citizens, including members of residents' welfare associations and non-profit organisations. Besides garbage clearance and illegal constructions, complaints included damaged footpaths, illegal parking, pending road asphalting, stray cattle, non-functioning streetlights and poor park maintenance.

Rao directed officials to resolve at least 60 per cent of the complaints within a week. The remaining 40 per cent have been classified as long-term issues and will be prioritised, he said.

Following complaints that auto tippers were not lifting bulk waste from commercial establishments, Rao ordered the appointment of separate engineers to conduct a comprehensive inspection and submit a report next week. Separately, Cholan directed joint commissioners to conduct special drives against illegal parking on major roads.

Among the key issues raised were persistent waterlogging in CV Raman Nagar, building violations on Ashoka Pillar Road, garbage accumulation in Hombegowda Nagar, the demand for a dialysis centre in Cox Town, delay in completing a community hall in Shanthinagar, early inauguration of the multi-level car parking facility at Gandhi Bazaar and a request for an underpass in Lingarajapuram to ease traffic congestion.

Officials informed citizens that the next public grievance meeting will be held on March 26. Those whose issues remain unresolved have been advised to attend the meet again and resubmit their complaints.

Additional Commissioner (Development) Daljit Kumar, Joint Commissioners Ranganath and Hemanth Sharan, Chief Engineer Vijay Kumar Haridas, Health Officer Shivakumar, and senior officials from the Revenue, Forest, Finance, Horticulture and Town Planning departments were present.