Vinod m Jain
*Minister warns of action against officials for lapses; directs civic agencies to fix garbage,footpath encroachments,potholes and drains on priority.
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Saturday directed civic officials to give top priority to cleanliness,waste management and maintenance of basic infrastructure,warning that negligence in these areas would invite action against the officials concerned.
The Minister made the direction during an early-morning surprise inspection of several areas under the Bengaluru East City Corporation,including Horamavu,Banjara Layout,Agara Lake,Jayanthinagar,Ramamurthynagar and Kasturinagar.
During the inspection, he reviewed door-to-door garbage collection and disposal,the functioning of pourakarmikas and marshals, road and footpath maintenance, rajakaluves (storm-water drains),lake maintenance, ongoing infrastructure works and civic issues affecting residents.
He directed officials to ensure that basic civic services function effectively on the ground and that no lapse causes inconvenience or poses a safety risk to the public.
Ensure daily door-to-door waste collection:
At Gandhi Circle in Horamavu,the Minister reviewed the system of door-to-door waste collection and sought details from officials on the collection and disposal of garbage.
He directed officials to ensure that pourakarmikas collect waste from every household every day and that the collected waste is properly disposed of.
He also reviewed the functioning of marshals and instructed them to maintain continuous vigil against dumping of garbage in public places.
Construction debris lying along roads,footpaths and slabs should be removed immediately to ensure smooth movement of pedestrians and motorists, he directed.
Negligence in waste management will invite action:
At Banjara Layout in Horamavu Ward,the Minister inspected the daily door-to-door garbage collection system and the functioning of pourakarmikas.
He directed officials to ensure that waste is collected from every household at the designated time every day and that the entire collection and disposal system is continuously monitored.
Officials responsible for maintaining cleanliness in the ward will face action if negligence is found,he warned.
He also directed AGM officials to take all necessary measures to maintain cleanliness in the area.
Focus on Agara Lake cleanliness and maintenance:
At Agara Lake,the Minister inspected the cleanliness and maintenance of the area surrounding the lake and directed officials to immediately clear accumulated waste and ensure regular upkeep.
He also inspected BESCOM electrical panels located outside the lake premises and directed officials to take necessary steps to relocate them to a suitable and safe location so as to prevent any risk to the public.
After being briefed about possible encroachments around the lake,he directed officials to take immediate action as per the law wherever encroachments are found.
Clear footpath encroachments:
The Minister also reviewed the status of encroachments on footpaths around Agara Lake and along major roads.
He directed officials to clear footpath encroachments and keep the pavements free for pedestrians, ensuring safe and unobstructed pedestrian movement.
Repair road cuts and potholes immediately:
At Jayanthinagar in Horamavu Ward,the Minister inspected BWSSB-related works,road-cut locations and potholes.
He directed that road cuts be properly restored immediately after completion of utility works and that necessary measures be taken to minimise inconvenience to the public and motorists.
Potholes on roads should be repaired immediately to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement, he instructed.
Departments must coordinate on cleanliness and civic works.
At the Ramamurthynagar Main Road,the Minister reviewed the progress of railway station works and the cleanliness of surrounding areas.
He directed officials to immediately clear construction debris, soil and other material that could obstruct pedestrians and motorists.
He also instructed officials of the Bengaluru East City Corporation to coordinate with the concerned railway authorities and take speedy corrective measures.
Ensure regular maintenance of storm-water drains:
The Minister inspected a rajakaluve along Ramamurthynagar Main Road and reviewed its cleanliness and maintenance.
He directed officials to undertake regular desilting and cleaning of storm-water drains and ensure that they remain free of accumulated silt and waste.
With the monsoon,preventive measures must be completed within the stipulated timeframe to ensure smooth flow of rainwater,he said.
Speed up Metro works,ensure public safety:
At Kasturinagar in K.R.Puram,the Minister inspected ongoing Metro works and reviewed their progress with officials.
He directed the agencies concerned to expedite the works and ensure that construction material and equipment at the site are in a manner that does not inconvenience the public.
He also stressed the need to prioritise public safety and ensure that construction activity does not obstruct movement on roads and footpaths.
No room for negligence in civic maintenance:
During the inspections,the Minister sought detailed updates from officials on issues directly affecting residents—including daily waste collection and disposal, road and footpath maintenance, storm-water drains, lake upkeep and ongoing infrastructure projects.
He reiterated that there could be no laxity in maintaining cleanliness or civic infrastructure anywhere in the city.
Officials were directed to ensure effective implementation of daily door-to-door waste collection, proper and scientific disposal of collected waste, and priority resolution of issues such as public dumping, footpath encroachments, construction debris and potholes.
He further directed the concerned departments to work in coordination and respond quickly to civic problems so that residents are not put to inconvenience.
Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh, Additional Commissioner Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar,Chief Engineer M.Lokesh,executive engineers, marshals, pourakarmikas and other officials were present during the inspections.
*Remarks by the Minister:
*”How can we make those who don’t come to work permanent?”:Krishna Byre Gowda.
During the inspection, several pourakarmikas urged the Minister to regularise their services.
Expressing strong dissatisfaction, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said: “Around 30 per cent of pourakarmikas are not even reporting for their daily duties.
Door-to-door garbage collection is not being carried out. As a result, in many places people are forced to throw garbage on the roads, and several parts of the city are stinking. We are being criticised by the public every day.
Why should those who do not come to work, or those who come but do not perform their duties properly, be made permanent?”
The Minister made it clear that regularisation cannot be considered a substitute for accountability and proper discharge of duties.
