Governance

Many of us have been complaining about the increasing "facelessness" of the new Bangalore. Neighbour does not know neighbour, and we all seem impersonal cogs in the machinery...But I didn't realize that even the Railways felt the same way!The Cantonment station proclaims, "Bangalore Anon"...Anonymous, indeed, are the passengers who pour in and out through this station every day.Or, who knows...like Al-Anon (Alchoholics Anonymous), Bangalore Anon is going to get rid of its problems and set itself right..was that the message? I wonder. ⊕

Many of us have been complaining about the increasing "facelessness" of the new Bangalore. Neighbour does not know neighbour, and we all seem impersonal cogs in the machinery...But I didn't realize that even the Railways felt the same way!The Cantonment station proclaims, "Bangalore Anon"...Anonymous, indeed, are the passengers who pour in and out through this station every day.Or, who knows...like Al-Anon (Alchoholics Anonymous), Bangalore Anon is going to get rid of its problems and set itself right..was that the message? I wonder. ⊕

Often, I find that public spaces like roads and footpaths are used as if they are there for our own convenience.I passed this plot of land being readied for construction a couple of days ago:That was a footpath before this all started!Why has all the debris been thrown on the pavement? There is now no space for anyone to walk, and the debris extends to the road, too.We are not aware, either, how we should protest when such a civic-unfriendly act occurs; so we feel helpless, and keep quiet, and bemoan the lack of civic sense in our city....Does anyone…

Often, I find that public spaces like roads and footpaths are used as if they are there for our own convenience.I passed this plot of land being readied for construction a couple of days ago:That was a footpath before this all started!Why has all the debris been thrown on the pavement? There is now no space for anyone to walk, and the debris extends to the road, too.We are not aware, either, how we should protest when such a civic-unfriendly act occurs; so we feel helpless, and keep quiet, and bemoan the lack of civic sense in our city....Does anyone…

I am normally not out in the evenings, but this evening, I was able to watch how, at least in one respect, the truckers' strike is impacting our city.  Many of the petrol pumps were closed, and where petrol was available, the chaos was unimaginable. Long queues of vehicles snaked back across the roads, and sometimes down side roads as well. Two wheelers kept jumping the queue trying to get their chance ahead of others, and added to the mess. Can the government do nothing right? If it saw the transporters' strike coming, could they not make sure that there were…

I am normally not out in the evenings, but this evening, I was able to watch how, at least in one respect, the truckers' strike is impacting our city.  Many of the petrol pumps were closed, and where petrol was available, the chaos was unimaginable. Long queues of vehicles snaked back across the roads, and sometimes down side roads as well. Two wheelers kept jumping the queue trying to get their chance ahead of others, and added to the mess. Can the government do nothing right? If it saw the transporters' strike coming, could they not make sure that there were…

One of the problems that BMTC faces in the construction of bus stops is that the land on which these stops must be sited, belongs to the BBMP. It often runs into rough weather with the construction of bus stops being stalled. So it was a refreshing sight to see a bus stop being constructed on Bannerghatta Road, opposite Shopper's Stop near the Jayadeva flyover: I am not sure if the bus stop will shelter users completely from the elements, but it's still far better than having people stand at unmarked places on the road while waiting for buses!Hopefully, all…

One of the problems that BMTC faces in the construction of bus stops is that the land on which these stops must be sited, belongs to the BBMP. It often runs into rough weather with the construction of bus stops being stalled. So it was a refreshing sight to see a bus stop being constructed on Bannerghatta Road, opposite Shopper's Stop near the Jayadeva flyover: I am not sure if the bus stop will shelter users completely from the elements, but it's still far better than having people stand at unmarked places on the road while waiting for buses!Hopefully, all…

One of the things I feel very proud about as I travel by the buses of the BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) is the fact that many women conductors are now employed by the organization.I decided to watch, without any intervention, as one such young woman went about her job on the bus that I was travelling by.Here she is:She was quite diligent about asking passengers for their tickets or passes, and unlike some men conductors that I have (alas!) seen, she gave back the necessary change, too, all the time that I watched her.Apart from the regular duty, there…

One of the things I feel very proud about as I travel by the buses of the BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) is the fact that many women conductors are now employed by the organization.I decided to watch, without any intervention, as one such young woman went about her job on the bus that I was travelling by.Here she is:She was quite diligent about asking passengers for their tickets or passes, and unlike some men conductors that I have (alas!) seen, she gave back the necessary change, too, all the time that I watched her.Apart from the regular duty, there…