Raghunandan TR Diary: A broken bridge and campaign
A diary from the wall of Raghunandan TR, former Joint Secretary at Govt of India.
Renuka and I were campaigning in one of the more affluent areas of the constituency for a change, when we got the news.
A bridge to the ISRO slum behind Indira Nagar, across one of the major storm water drains had collapsed.
Vinodh and a team with him rushed to the spot. A hectic drive through the traffic took us there. I am election agent, plus alter ego plus expert rally driver. Before I could stop, Renuka was off the car in a thrice. You stay here, she ordered, as she clambered over rubble, dangerously close to the edge of the drain, full of sewage.
More than 100 people are marooned on the other side of the broken foot bridge. One would be surprised at how such a place totally lacking in connectivity can exist in the centre of the city. Most slums in Shanthinagar are wedged between large fenced properties, such as defence lands, and storm water drains. There are even places where people live on top of the cement covers of these storm water drains. Each one of these slums is a complete disaster. Most depend upon single foot bridges for their sustenance. Its bizarre, but these slums could be in some remote hilly area as far as their connectivity is concerned. Virtually nothing has been done for the residents here, even as their votes are sought, or squeezed out of them, by politicians.
As Vinodh and she face the anger of anxious slum dwellers on the verge of the broken bridge, a few people join me on the road bridge. ‘Just look at that foot bridge’. Its terrible quality, says one. That’s clearly right – it is badly engineered. Its all politics, says another.
Renuka returns to the main road through the rubble. Forget politics, lets do something, she says. People have a serious problem and regardless of our campaign we have to solve it.
Renuka calls up the BBMP Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao. He is promptly on the line and he connects us to the Joint Commissioner, Projects. Mr. Vijayshankar, the Joint Commissioner, is an old friend. He had helped Renuka a few months back to push for self help groups to obtain solid waste management contracts, in preference to politically well connected contractors. Renuka rushes to Vijayshankar’s office, campaign forgotten, to meet him and explain the problem. He says that a fresh bridge has been sanctioned in March 2018 for Rs. 54 lakhs but that work can be taken up only after the election. Renuka insists that the problem must be addressed here and now. Vijayshankar is a good man. He readily agrees, and calls up the Chief Engineer (Storm Water), Bettegowda.
Bettegowda is currently on the spot doing the work. Money will be found for it later on. The work, comprises of protective reconstruction of the bridge immediately with proper lighting.
Yet, I think to myself. If people elect honest politicians, there will be permanent solutions to such problems.
Chalo. We have to get back to the campaign.
Original post can be read here on Facebook. Read more from Raghunandan TR Diary.
Renuka and I were campaigning in one of the more affluent areas of the constituency for a change, when we got the news.
A bridge to the ISRO slum behind Indira Nagar, across one of the major storm water drains had collapsed.
Vinodh and a team with him rushed to the spot. A hectic drive through the traffic took us there. I am election agent, plus alter ego plus expert rally driver. Before I could stop, Renuka was off the car in a thrice. You stay here, she ordered, as she clambered over rubble, dangerously close to the edge of the drain, full of sewage.
More than 100 people are marooned on the other side of the broken foot bridge. One would be surprised at how such a place totally lacking in connectivity can exist in the centre of the city. Most slums in Shanthinagar are wedged between large fenced properties, such as defence lands, and storm water drains. There are even places where people live on top of the cement covers of these storm water drains. Each one of these slums is a complete disaster. Most depend upon single foot bridges for their sustenance. Its bizarre, but these slums could be in some remote hilly area as far as their connectivity is concerned. Virtually nothing has been done for the residents here, even as their votes are sought, or squeezed out of them, by politicians.
I rushed to the nearby road bridge to survey the scene. People are angry and hostile. I can see them berating Renuka for going there. I can well understand how they feel; rejected and exploited by a procession of politicians.The police land up. Renuka stands up to the inspector who tells her to retreat. I see her drawn up to her five feet three inches and speaking firmly. It’s a familiar sight to me, that determined chin and the flashing eyes.
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| A broken foot bridge to the ISRO slum behind Indira Nagar |
Renuka returns to the main road through the rubble. Forget politics, lets do something, she says. People have a serious problem and regardless of our campaign we have to solve it.
Renuka calls up the BBMP Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao. He is promptly on the line and he connects us to the Joint Commissioner, Projects. Mr. Vijayshankar, the Joint Commissioner, is an old friend. He had helped Renuka a few months back to push for self help groups to obtain solid waste management contracts, in preference to politically well connected contractors. Renuka rushes to Vijayshankar’s office, campaign forgotten, to meet him and explain the problem. He says that a fresh bridge has been sanctioned in March 2018 for Rs. 54 lakhs but that work can be taken up only after the election. Renuka insists that the problem must be addressed here and now. Vijayshankar is a good man. He readily agrees, and calls up the Chief Engineer (Storm Water), Bettegowda.
Bettegowda is currently on the spot doing the work. Money will be found for it later on. The work, comprises of protective reconstruction of the bridge immediately with proper lighting.
Easily, the ISRO slum is the worst slum in the area. Renuka says that regardless of the results of the elections she will work closely with Vijayshankar for improving the facilities in this slum. Vijayshankar readily agrees. He says that after 15 May, he will bring the Slum Board to the table and work out a plan.At one level I agree with Renuka. This is a problem above politics. Both of us have been fortunate to work in the government and have good contacts and good reputations. We must use that.
Yet, I think to myself. If people elect honest politicians, there will be permanent solutions to such problems.
Chalo. We have to get back to the campaign.
Original post can be read here on Facebook. Read more from Raghunandan TR Diary.
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