Mysore/Mysuru: In the recently convened October monthly meeting of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to address their daily concerns and broader citywide issues.

During this meeting, each participant was invited to point out one civic problem they considered of paramount significance. This approach led to a broad spectrum of concerns emerging, but two overarching issues came to the forefront.

Foremost was the glaring disregard for rule of law. The prevalence of traffic violations was striking, with only a small fraction of violators facing Police enforcement.

Additionally, footpaths fell prey to encroachments, not only by street vendors but also by individuals of more affluent circumstances. Alarmingly, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) seemed to turn a blind eye to these violations, raising concerns over pedestrian safety and accessibility.

Inadequate public transport

Transportation was another pressing matter, particularly concerning Maharani’s College of Commerce at Paduvarahalli (Vinayakanagar). With a student body exceeding 4,500, including rural students, the existing bus route from city bus stand to Paduvarahalli was found to be inefficient and inadequate.

Although residents raised the issue with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), there have been no tangible steps taken to rectify the situation.

City parks faced misuse and encroachment by the authorities entrusted with their preservation, reflecting a broader breakdown in the rule of law. The enforcement of Karnataka Parks Act was found wanting and building bylaws were at times manipulated to serve bureaucratic interests.

Lack of civic involvement

Citizen indifference also featured prominently in the discussion. Despite the MCC’s efforts to enhance garbage collection services, residents persisted in discarding waste on footpaths, even in upscale areas such as Yadavagiri and Jayalakshmipuram. The growing commercialisation and concretisation of Chamundi Hill underscored a lack of civic involvement.

Further compounding the issue, despite revelations through Right To Information (RTI) inquiries about unauthorised construction, shops and restaurants continued to proliferate without consequence. Illegal tree felling and water supply problems failed to mobilise significant public protest.

Despite its 34-year existence, the MGP struggled to garner even 1,000 members, highlighting a widespread sense of apathy among citizens. The absence of vocal objection to issues such as encroached parks and footpaths near residents’ homes was notable. In a democracy, citizens’ responsibilities extend beyond voting, and vigilance is an ongoing requirement.

A positive aspect of the MGP meeting was the diverse representation present, including individuals from fields such as banking, Mysuru Urban Development Authority, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, industry, commerce, and women’s activism.

Citizens must take the blame

While some participants attributed many city problems to the negligence of bureaucrats and elected representatives, others contended that citizens themselves bore some responsibility for Mysuru’s challenges due to their indifference.

The meeting concluded with a consensus regarding the imperative need to promote greater civic engagement and boost membership within MGP.

Among those present were MGP members and office-bearers, including Srishaila Ramannavar, Shobhana Sambasivan, Bhamy V. Shenoy, Arun Kumar, Lakshmana Kumar, A.V. Rangesh, B.S. Somashekhar, G. Shreedhar, S. Sumalatha, Geeta Velumani, V. Prabha, Mari Gowda, Bhanu Prashanth, K.V. Naidu, K.V. Ramanath, Sahan, Lata, S.S. Sharif and Abhijna and other concerned citizens.