Pommala Sunil Kumar, the dynamic Commissioner of Bengaluru North City Corporation, is rapidly making waves with his hands-on approach, including a direct phone-in program for citizens. In an exclusive interview, he shared insights into the significant changes already underway and his vision for the region.
When asked how he plans to ensure residents truly experience an improvement compared to the previous BBMP system, Commissioner Kumar confidently stated:
“Our new system is undeniably making an impact. We’re now far more effective at connecting with citizens and prioritizing their concerns. Previously, even minor issues lingered, but now we have a much faster response framework in place.”
Regarding revenue generation, the Commissioner outlined his strategies:
“We’ve successfully collected ₹600 crore in property tax from currently assessed properties. However, a significant number of properties remain unassessed, or have been undervalued. To address this, we’re implementing a GPS-based application to accurately capture property details, correct any undervaluation, and boost our tax revenue. We’re also targeting assessed properties with long-standing tax arrears for collection. Furthermore, we are actively exploring new income streams and ensuring comprehensive collection of road-cutting charges. Our overarching goal is to optimize existing processes and systematically generate more revenue.”
Addressing concerns about immediate flood relief, especially in notorious areas like the Hebbal and Nagavara underpasses, he detailed the corporation’s temporary mitigation measures:
“From the outset, our priority has been vulnerable low-lying areas, particularly around the Hebbal flyover, Manyata Tech Park, and Nagavara. We’ve identified 80 to 85 such flood-prone zones within the corporation’s jurisdiction and are diligently inspecting ongoing work on main and secondary roads. This effort is complemented by crucial data from police applications, such as ASTraM, which provides real-time information on road conditions and potholes.”
“Furthermore, our executive engineers have strategically deployed ‘gangmen’ – laborers residing close to these vulnerable zones – who can respond to flooding incidents within five minutes. This rapid response is crucial for swiftly managing floods, which often lead to severe traffic congestion and disruptions, requiring police intervention.”
On the persistent issue of encroachments on lakes and buffer zones, even involving prominent IT companies and developers, Commissioner Kumar affirmed his commitment to equitable enforcement:
“We’ve pinpointed effective solutions for these encroachments. While we’ve engaged with the implicated companies – acknowledging the complexities of existing structures – our foremost concern remains public safety and well-being, for which we’ve issued strict directives. Unfortunately, cooperation from certain entities has been minimal. In such cases, we are fully prepared to pursue legal action to rectify violations. Our ultimate objective is to resolve all encroachments, preventing any exacerbation of the situation in future rainy seasons.”
Looking ahead, residents of North Bengaluru can anticipate significant on-the-ground improvements within the next year, as the Commissioner highlighted:
“Our primary focus is to fast-track all outstanding projects. This includes the revitalization of Allalasandra Lake, crucial white-topping initiatives, the ongoing flyover project, and the vital stormwater drain from Yelahanka Lake to Jakkur Lake. Timely completion of these projects will significantly enhance the city’s infrastructure and overall quality of life for residents.”