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'Unique PPP Initiative for Mahadevapura' - Note from R K Misra

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Written By silkboard - 21 September, 2008

Bangalore Whitefield Marathahalli PPP Citizen Reports Mahadevapura R K Misra

Some like him, some don't. Recently, I met with Mr R K Misra, one objective was to learn about an initiative for development for Mahadevapura area (Whitefield, Marathahalli, Sarjapura etc). At the end of it, I got a note from RK for posting here on his behalf. Well, here it is, unedited. Pardon me if you think this is marketing for an individual's organization or philosophy. I am not endorsing one thing over another. Any developmental news is worth sharing. Whether we like one group's philosophy, or hate an individual's approach, we should be in the know of these "outlets" for activism.


Friends,

I wanted to bring to your notice an unique initiative by SAHYOG (my PPP Foundation which did first PPP roads in BLR) where we have set-up a Mahadevapura-Whitefield Development Task Force chaired jointly by me and local MLA/Minister - Arvind Limbavali.

First meeting was held on 23rd August with around 100 local area RWA reps to identify and categorize various development issues of the area. It was attended by every govt department head with concrete action plan. Second meeting was held on 7th Sep with Action Taken Report and review. Both meeting minutes are attached.

It is a true PPP where government is doing its part of developing civic amenities and transport infrastructure where as private citizens and corporates do their bit by helping govt by contributing money to adopt schools, providing rooms/toilets in the schools, upgrading PHCs (Public Health Centers), setting-up public libraries and cultural centers. Attached minutes will give you an overview of the progress so far.

We are extremely pleased with the pro-active approach and involvement of our MLA and concerned officials.

We feel this model could be replicated and is very efficient model of development where citizens work along with the government for their local area development. Enough checks and balances including third party quality monitoring are also being put in place to ensure quality and reduce corruption. Hearing about this initiative, neighbouring area residents and MLAs have approached us for similar initiative in their areas.


I feel it is a good PPP model worth emulating by others and would request you to kindly promote this.

We feel that this is more effective and efficient development model where citizens participate in their area and city development with effective control and monitoring, compared with high profile committees and advisory groups, whose recommendations mostly remain on paper only to the dismay of general public. Many such initiatives have come unstuck in the past too, be it BATF or others.


Regards,

RK

BTW, two of us (from Praja) could have gone to attend the third meeting of this Task force (this Thursday), but the invitation came too late (morning of the meeting day) for any of us to go. With some advance notice, Rithesh or myself would have attended it. One of us should, and see how these are conducted.

COMMENTS

start a local bus service

murali772 - 22 September, 2008 - 09:22

Not surprised that there's no progress to report on the BMTC front. Why doesn't SAHYOG consider running a local bus service? The potential is definitely there, and with properly planned services, half the area's traffic problems will get solved automatically. All it now calls for is a collective push. RKM can do it. Muralidhar Rao

Sahyog RK Misra PPP Foundation

psaram42 - 21 September, 2008 - 14:24

I rather like RK, as I have no experience of meeting him personally till now. The impression I get is that, he is a bit short tempered and rightly so for him, being a public figure. However being short tempered is more of an impediment which should be got rid of.

I do not think it is marketing or endorsing a view point, Pranav. I was curious to know Misra’s current interest, post lead India contest of TOI. Praja could not but be aware of what SAHAYOG is doing. However, I am not sure whether SAHAYOG (=Co operation) which means participation, should be or is an outlet of activism. It is more like a local Residents Association agenda restricted to a particular area; in this case it happens to be the assembly constituency of MLA Arvind Limbany. Similarly Katta Subramanys constituency was also in the news recently as I remember, for some good work being done.

RK is talking about his model:

“ We feel this model could be replicated and is very efficient model of development where citizens work along with the government for their local area development. Enough checks and balances including third party quality monitoring are also being put in place to ensure quality and reduce corruption. Hearing about this initiative, neighbouring area residents and MLAs have approached us for similar initiative in their areas.”

I think the PRAJA model Know, Care, Participate is good too. Probably we should consider at greater length what RK is saying. Probably we should invite RK to meet up with us? May be at your/my place Pranav?

I hope all this translates into some ground work

Rithesh - 22 September, 2008 - 18:45

I hope RK will take this to a logical conclusion. I like the fact that deadlines have been included for almost all of the action items. I only hope that these are also followed up. It would be a good idea if they could put up the project plans in the public domain - like for example the KR-Puram to Hope farm road widening and bus bay project plans should be made public. I am sure all of these would have been reviewed by experts but sometimes local people know more about solutions to problems specific to their region. SB - it would be great to have Praja interaction with RK. (Ok - i have personal interests in this area - i work in this region and I just hate traveling on that KR-Puram Hope farm road, it is more worse than a village kacha road.)

Service Lanes & Greens

jpawan23 - 25 September, 2008 - 08:14

I was wondering if anybody has given thought to the absence of a service road for long stretches along the ORR between Marthahalli and KR Puram. The ORR should be greener. I find this stretch disappointingly arid and dusty; tree saplings planted along the stretch would really help. Could this be taken up in your future meetings with the task force.

Education & Health

ssheragu - 24 September, 2008 - 13:56

ssheragu 1. good initiative regarding providing School Rooms & Toilets 2. good initiative regarding setting up of polytechnic and degree colleges; but while stting up these we should not miss out on providing parking space for cars & 2 wheelers; revenue department should identify required lands for these institutions inclusive of parking space 3. very good intiative regarding conversion of PHC to Hospital; but care should be taken to acquire adjacent land for parking space and greenery inside the HOSPITAL / PHC premises; also for a starter an IT company can be entrusted to maintain the cleanliness inside the HOSPITAL / PHC and this can be a model for all other HOSPITALS/ PHC's Srinath Heragu

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