‘By anticipating future problems, we can implement cost-effective solutions before congestion worsens’ :Rajendra K.V., West Corporation Commissioner

From the city’s oldest neighbourhoods like Malleswaram, to its industrial belts in Peenya and Kengeri, the West Corporation is Bengaluru’s most densely populated zone. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, the West Corporation Commissioner, Rajendra K.V., said the focus would be on long-term urban planning, with traffic and growth projections mapped for the next 10 to 30 years to proactively manage expansion and congestion

Malleswaram and Rajajinagar are choked with traffic, worsened by dug-up roads and pending white-topping. How soon will citizens see smoother commutes?

The focus is on road-widening projects where concrete work is ongoing. Coordination between various agencies is essential, especially regarding utility shifting and waterlines, which often delay progress. We are in discussions with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, West, and Joint Commissioner, West, to explore traffic signal improvements and long-term solutions like underpasses. We are preparing traffic and growth projections for the next 10 to 30 years to proactively manage city expansion and increasing traffic. By anticipating future problems, we can implement cost-effective solutions before congestion worsens. .  

In many areas like Basaveshwaranagar, Kamakshipalya, and Kengeri, black spots of uncollected waste continue to remain despite repeated clean-up drives

Most Primary Collection Points are functioning well, and street-sweeping has improved, but there are still issues with auto tippers, especially in areas where one contractor is handling multiple wards. We’re addressing this through a new tender process to improve coverage and efficiency. We’re working to identify more bulk generators and assign specific agencies for each waste type. We’re also promoting in-house and community composting, especially for leaf and organic waste, to reduce landfill burden. Black spots remain a concern, and since one solution doesn’t fit all, we’re exploring flexible collection models like twice-a-day pickups in high-density or working-class areas.

Industries in Peenya generate a large volume of waste, and residents allege that industrial effluents are being let into nearby drains, worsening pollution in the Vrishabhavathi valley.

In Peenya and R.R. Nagar industrial areas, with over 1,000 units each, there’s a need to streamline industrial infrastructure. my experience in other major districts shows a common issue - lack of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). Typically, such plants should serve all units collectively, but this hasn’t been implemented here, largely due to legacy issues, not individual fault. Coordination is needed between the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board and Pollution Control Board. I plan to engage local industry associations, assess tax compliance, and explore what support we can offer while ensuring industries fulfill environmental mandates like linking to CETPs or building new ones, etc. It’s a challenging but necessary task.

Core wards like Basavanagudi, Malleswaram, and Rajajinagar often get quicker civic works, while outer wards are left waiting.

These areas have historically received quicker civic works because they are older, well-established parts of Bengaluru with stronger infrastructure and revenue. In contrast, outer areas like Hemmigepura, Ullal, and Herohalli are newer, mostly residential, and still developing. To balance this, we will ensure fair allocation of funds based on need, not just existing infrastructure. We also plan to boost local revenue through better property tax collection and by using government lands for leases, advertisements, or public-private partnerships.

In areas like Nagarabhavi, Nayandahalli, and R.R. Nagar, flooding remains a recurring nightmare whenever it rains, reportedly because of missing links and encroachments on stormwater drains.

In the past couple of weeks, I have observed a few episodes of heavy rain. While I wouldn’t call it torrential, the rainfall was significant. However, there was no major water stagnation in our areas, and no habitations were flooded. I received very few complaints, even from low-lying zones, which shows that the drainage system is generally functioning. However, I plan to study the local rainfall patterns, terrain, and storm-water flow more closely to identify any problem areas.

West Corporation is reported to get a major share of funds

Since the West Corporation covers a large area, it is likely we will receive a major share of the funds. However, no final decisions have been made yet. The government is expected to apply a rational approach and not just allocate funds arbitrarily. As of now, our revenue collection is limited, so we are actively working to secure a larger portion of funding.