
The chief of Bengaluru West City Corporation, along with representatives from the citizen advocacy group B.Pac, convened a meeting with resident welfare associations (RWAs) from across the zone on Saturday. The session, held at the zonal office, was aimed at bridging the gap between civic authorities and local communities.
Waste management emerged as a primary concern, with residents raising complaints about irregular garbage collection and overflowing bins in several wards. RWA members also flagged the poor condition of roads and inadequate street lighting in their localities.
Officials from the West City Corporation listened to grievances and assured residents that steps would be taken to streamline garbage collection routes. The zonal chief directed the solid waste management department to submit a report on problem areas within a week.
Road maintenance was another key topic. Residents pointed out that many arterial roads had developed potholes after the recent monsoon spells, posing safety risks. The corporation pledged to expedite repairs under the ongoing road-rejuvenation programme.
B.Pac representatives facilitated the discussion, emphasising the need for regular ward-level meetings. They argued that proactive engagement could prevent minor issues from escalating into larger civic crises.
The meeting saw participation from over 30 RWAs, covering areas such as Malleswaram, Rajajinagar, and Basaveshwaranagar. Each association was given time to present its specific demands, which were noted by the zonal staff for follow-up action.
B.Pac, known for its work on urban governance transparency, stressed the importance of citizen monitoring. They proposed a digital dashboard where residents could track the status of their complaints in real time.
The West City Corp chief acknowledged the utility of such platforms and said the corporation would explore integrating its existing grievance redressal system with B.Pacโs framework.
Authorities have scheduled a follow-up meeting in two months to review progress on the issues raised. RWAs have been asked to form ward-level committees to liaise directly with zonal officers.
B.Pac will continue to assist in coordinating these efforts, aiming to institutionalise the dialogue between citizens and the corporation. The success of this initiative could set a template for other zones in Bengaluru.