Bengaluru: Described as a ‘minister on a mission’, Krishna Byre Gowda prefers to be part of the solutions rather than the problems associated with Bengaluru. “Better-quality roads are my priority,” Bengaluru development minister tells TOI. Excerpts from an interview with him:You have completed 100 days as Bengaluru development minister; how do you assess the city’s challenges?Bengaluru is a city that urgently needs better governance. My assessment after these 100 days is that if we can get the fundamentals right, citizens will experience tangible improvements in their day-to-day lives. People are demanding solutions to major issues such as traffic congestion, waste management, road quality and basic civic infrastructure, and rightly so. Some of these challenges, particularly traffic, do not have quick fixes. I remain cautiously optimistic because I do believe that steady and consistent improvements are possible if we focus on the basics.While Bengaluru emerges at the top on the tech front, why is it crumbling when it comes to infrastructure?In my view, many of Bengaluru’s current problems can be traced back to the city’s large-scale expansion in 2006. Expanding the city’s boundaries was necessary, but it happened without planning, institutional strengthening and investment required to manage a much larger urban area. Overnight, Bengaluru expanded to nearly 750 sq km, but governance systems were not redesigned to handle the increased complexity. While the city expanded, it struggled under the weight of its own growth.Has the setting up of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) made any difference?Directionally, I believe GBA is a significant step forward. For nearly two decades, there was no serious attempt to revisit Bengaluru’s governance framework despite the city’s transformation. GBA is an effort to address that gap.What are the top concerns raised by Bengalureans during your interactions?The number one issue is undoubtedly traffic and mobility. People spend far too much time commuting and it affects productivity as well as quality of life. The second major concern is waste management, cleanliness and hygiene. Citizens want a cleaner city and more efficient waste collection and disposal systems. The third issue is road quality, which continues to be one of the most common complaints. Beyond these, concerns vary by locality.Why is it so difficult to provide something as simple as pothole-free roads?I think it would be unrealistic to deny that road quality has been a major concern in Bengaluru. Generally speaking, the quality of road construction has left a lot to be desired and we must acknowledge that honestly. Govt has already committed close to Rs 8,500 crore to improving existing roads, covering approximately 2,500 km. Better-quality roads are one of my top priorities.The footpath encroachment drive received appreciation initially, but many encroachments appear to be returning. What is being done to address this?The work has not stopped. Enforcement is an ongoing process and not a one-time exercise. There are legitimate concerns from vendors as well as pedestrians, and we need a balanced approach. We will continue to work towards ensuring that footpaths remain accessible for pedestrians while also providing lawful mechanisms for street vending.There is public appreciation for your hands-on approach, but critics argue that nothing much has changed on the ground.Public life comes with both appreciation and criticism, and one has to accept both. Govt undoubtedly has a responsibility to improve governance and service delivery, but society also has a role to play. Bengaluru has many law-abiding citizens, but there are also instances where rules are ignored, whether in construction, waste management or other areas. Sustainable improvement requires cooperation from all stakeholders.
