BENGALURU: 13 days late in taking charge on Tuesday, Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda got cracking on the first day, posing three critical questions in a meeting with the city’s civic officials, including the GBA chief and commissioners of the five city corporations: “Is road-making in Bengaluru a rocket science? Why is it so difficult to have pothole-free roads? And why has pothole-filling become such a big business?”The tough questions came during the minister’s first review meeting with officials of Greater Bengaluru Authority, signalling road quality and accountability will be high on his agenda. The minister’s remarks equally reflect the growing frustration of Bengaluru residents with civic infrastructure.If we don’t fix Bengaluru, there is a serious problem for Karnataka,” he said, reiterating the importance of the tech capital as one of India’s growth engines.Gowda also directed civic honchos to focus on improving infrastructure on the city’s periphery.“Historically, you have invested in infrastructure in the core areas and a lot of white-topping has happened. All the problems are in the peripheral areas. Roads are dug up as BWSSB has taken up works in the areas not covered in the peripheral constituencies,” he said, adding that pressure is immense on the city’s peripheries which are seeing relentless expansion.“The formation of GBA and five city corporations was a fundamental solution to Bengaluru’s problems. Our govt has introduced major projects like the tunnel road and elevated corridors,” he said, pointing to policy continuity. He said he would also solv e day-to-day problems.Responding to queries on issues flagged by opposition leaders on the waste management tenders having over 30 years’ contract period, he said the city needs long-term solutions, and not quick fixes, for issues.“The tenders are being evaluated by a panel of senior officials formed by the government,” he said, urging leaders across party lines to work together for the city. Without revealing much, Gowda said the govt will come up with interventions to address the diff erences in revenue among the five corporations.
