Bengaluru’s road repair plans have sparked a new idea from Congress MP and former minister P. Chidambaram. He praised Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar‑Shaw’s offer to fund new roads, but said the real problem is how public works are carried out, not how much money is available.
Chidambaram wrote on social media that the city’s roads are in a bad state because projects often run late or fall short of quality. He suggested a fresh model: after the state picks a contractor through normal public‑tender procedures, a private company or industrialist—like Shaw—would oversee and hold the contractor accountable for speed and finish.
“The contractor does the work, but the supervising company must make sure it’s done on time and up to standard,” Chidambaram explained. He added that any penalties for delays would be paid by the supervisor, not the government. He pointed to Chennai and Bengaluru as good testing grounds for this experiment.
The proposal comes after a sharp clash between Shaw and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the city’s rotting roads. Shaw publicly called out the condition of Bangalore’s streets, prompting Shivakumar to argue that she had “forgotten her roots” and possibly had a private agenda. Shaw denied those claims, and Shivakumar has now said he welcomes her help and that the state will cooperate.
Shaw recently met with Shivakumar, reportedly to invite him to her nephew’s wedding. Their conversation also touched on Bangalore’s growth, innovation, and Karnataka’s broader development plans.
The conversation highlights an ongoing debate in India about how to improve roads and civic works across major cities. Will a partnership between the public sector and private oversight work? Bengaluru’s citizens and policymakers are watching closely.
Source: ianslive
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