A Budget for Bangalore

Budget ethos for the city of Bengaluru


By Harish Bijoor


Bengaluru is a very vital part of Karnataka. The city is today not only the capital of Karnataka, but in many ways, is the Intellectual capital of India as well.

If Mumbai is the financial capital, Delhi the political capital and Kolkata the cultural capital, Bengaluru is surely the Intellectual capital of India.

In many parts of the world where I travel, I have had cab drivers ask with awe about the mystique of Brand Bangalore. Many flatteringly mistake the city to be the capital of India as well. This has happened to me equally in Singapore as it has happened in Addis Ababa and Ankara alike.

Bengaluru is therefore a city with a significance index for the nation, which is larger than life. The city in many ways belongs to each and every one of us in India who believes in the power of knowledge and the power of technology and technology enabled services.

If I am to look at the Budget ethos for a city such as Bengaluru, I do believe attention needs to be disproportionate, futuristic, global and of a cutting-edge variety. The city needs all of this and more.

Let me start on the allocations side. The budget for Bengaluru for a start must look at an outlay that is significantly larger than the INR 3000 Crore that was allocated in the Karnataka Budget for 2009-10. There is a demand that seeks a minimum INR 5000 Crore need. Bengaluru needs the attention of funds that are disproportionate to the total outlay on the Urban Development initiatives in the Budget. The last budget saw 40.7 percentage of the Urban Development budget kitty go to Bengaluru. This year, for a start , the need lies in a deeper percentage as the budget allocation to Urban Development initiatives deepen all across.
I would list the following basic ethos that the budget document needs to follow and use as a beacon light:

1. Infrastructure spending has been earmarked well budget after budget. This time round, there needs to be investments in the maintenance and sensible enhancement of the infrastructure that has been put into place. There is a need to allocate moneys on the soft side of infrastructure as well. It is important not only to build the flyovers and under-passes, it is important to invest in educating the public on the proper use of roads and the sensible use of infrastructure as well. Lane driving for one is a forgotten aspect on Bangalore roads.
2. Bengaluru is a really big city today under the BBMP limits. This mega-city produces a lot of waste. There is little expenditure that goes into waste-management. It is important to focus on this. Recycling of water and recycling of non-bio degradable waste is an important imperative the budget needs to allocate moneys to. Garbage is the biggest issue staring at us. Creative use of garbage needs the application of minds and moneys. I do believe the budget has a role to play here by upping allocations to recycling expenditures.
3. Slum rehabilitation is an important city need. As the city spreads and as consumptiveness becomes more and more vulgar in its orientation, it is important to manage the needs and wants of those who live in our city slums. It is important to invest in infrastructure development to provide for decent houses with drainage and water facilities. The city cannot cater only to the needs of the haves. It needs to look after the needs of those who have very little. The polarization of wealth is a big issue in a city like Bengaluru. This is a powder keg that acts as a crucible for the development of crime and simmering social discontent that waits for an opportunity to erupt.
4. The Language of GREEN is important to back. It is important to look at showcasing Bengaluru as a green-city that believes in green initiatives that are eco-friendly. Investment in building a nodal body that spearheads this and showcase Bengaluru to the world as a leader among all cities going green is an initiative that is needed. Bengaluru has up-rooted many trees in the last two years. It is important to focus on re-greening Bengaluru back. It needs to be disproportionate to need. Budget allocations on this count is what I look forward to.
5. Bengaluru can be an excellent tourist destination. We need the allocation of moneys for the re-invention of the tourist route of Bengaluru. The last budget saw an excellent allocation of INR 180 Crores for Tourism initiatives. In this budget ahead, I look forward to see a healthier still allocation with a focus on Bengaluru as well. Properties such as Nandi Hills are screaming for the need of attention. Let’s give it that.


Lastly, as a parting note to this budget-need piece, I do believe it is time for Bengaluru to invest in the creation of a logo of its own. We need a symbol the city can own and nurture. Bangalore is already a brand. The brand now needs a symbol. Progressive cities of the world own symbols of their own. I think Bengaluru has arrived enough to ask for one its own. Let’s start the debate on this at least now in this budget with a small allocation that helps put together an eco-system to make it happen.
The author is a brand-expert & CEO, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc.
Email: ceo@harishbijoorconsults.com