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BBMP and advisers - Sankey Tank Road Widening

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Written By acoward - 29 June, 2011

Bangalore Bangalore governance governance BBMP BBMP urban development urban development Road widening Road widening Citizen Reports Citizen Reports Sankey Road Sankey Road

Dear Praja friends, as you already know, these are the days of advisory councils and committees. Their grip is complete, top to down, one advisory council is sitting at national level (NAC), and we also see and hear of a few at the lowest (our city government) level.

I am here to write about BBMP's technical advisory committee, mention of which I saw in today's DNA Bangalore newspaper. A column was authored by Dr Ashwin Mahesh, who has been listed as a member of "BBMP's technical advisory committee".

In the column, Dr Mahesh is critical of BBMP's Sankey Road widening project. Everyone is advised to read the column I am mentioning to confirm what I am saying here is right - Dr Mahesh, a member of BBMP's Technical Advisory Committee is strongly opposing Sankey Tank Road widening project, and also BBMP's approach to similar projects.

Now, my questions to you all, BBMP, and Dr Mahesh

Questions specific to the committee (to BBMP, and Praja friends)

  1. What is the role and purpose of BBMP's Technical Advisory Committee
  2. How many members does it have
  3. How many of BBMP's projects have these "members" advised on
  4. How much remuneration and what perks are paid to the advisers?
  5. Who pays this? If BBMP, then what budget does the money come from
  6. What are the responsibilities of the advisers on this "committee"
  7. Who bears accountability on quality and bias aspects of advice that the committee offers? Advisers? Or BBMP? What I mean is, if some advice offered is accepted and later found to be disastrous, will BBMP keep the blame, or passed to the advisers?
  8. If the committee members are being openly critical of some high visibility projects like Sankey Tank Road widening, why do you still have them on it?

Corresponding questions for Dr Mahesh

  1. Are you "inside" BBMP or "outside" BBMP?
  2. Is it true that most of your advice is turned down by the BBMP? That is the feeling one gets after reading your articles in newspapers etc related to local projects?
  3. If above is not true then are there examples of advices that you offered and BBMP did not turn down? Would you be open to sharing the "hit rate"?
  4. In case the hit rate is low or very low, if BBMP anyway doesn't follow your advice on contest-ably futile projects like Sankey Tank Road Widening, why are you still on this "committee"?
  5. What responsibilities do you carry as member of the committee? Advise on a specific number and type of projects? Attend a specified number of meetings?

My dear friends, learned sirs and madams, judging by blogs and comments here, many of you know Dr Ashwin Mahesh. Would you be able to get some answers to above. Just like you all, I also want to understand account-abilities in functioning of BBMP.

My questions are simple and genuine. I share them here anonymously so that these are not seen to be personal.

love bangalore,
RFOB (a Real Friend of Bangalore)

COMMENTS

valid questions - but, what about your identity?

murali772 - 30 June, 2011 - 12:24

@ Coward  -  I spoke to Dr Ashwin Mahesh. He said he is prepared to answer the questions if you are prepared to reveal your identity, first.

Focus should be..

Bheema.Upadhyaya - 1 July, 2011 - 04:00

on issues, not on identities though. <end of message>

CNR Rao Circle

Mwm_mute - 20 September, 2011 - 08:19

Just wanted to poll the collective wisdom of Prajegalu on the CNR Rao underpass, which has been under construction for more than a year. I have not be able to visualize the plan, despite passing by the excavation on numerous occasions.

It looks like traffic proceeding from Maramma Circle towards Ypr will have a free passage. What is troubling therefore is another ramp being built for the traffic coming in from Mekhri Circle. I would greatly apprecite if someone could resolve my little confusion. Thanks.

I have scoured the net for

idontspam - 21 September, 2011 - 08:17

I have scoured the net for plans but all I get are news reports where the reporters themselves havent bothered to understand what exactly BBMP is planning to do. Such a shame. 

The points are worthy of a Praja discussion

psaram42 - 30 June, 2011 - 16:10

 

The DNA article by Ashwin Mahesh is interesting.   An advisory committee member or not being the faculty of IIM Bangalore has its own stamp.  By the way the article is in the name of Ashwin the person.

Thse are valid points posed by Professor Ashwin:-

  1. Is it a truly an authorized project, with a design approved by BBMP’s technical advisory committee? No.
  2. Has it followed the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTCP) Act’s requirement of being notified for widening in this year’s calendar? No.
  3. Have there been public consultations on the project, along with a resettlement plan, as required in the KTCP Act? No.
  4. Could we not focus on finishing the work at CNR Rao Circle first, and then proceed to see if Sankey Road needs widening? Yes

Why not be bold to give your positive comments on the issue of Sankey road widening Mr. Coward for a change?

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