The Right Road

[karira]

As reported by Jyotsna P Dharwad in deccanherald.com on 29 July 2008:
Deccan Herald - The Right Road

The Right Road

Realising the importance of community participation in public works, the people of Heggadedevanakote took personal interest in getting the road between Beechanalahalli and N Beguru in Mysore district laid. B T Poshini reports.

Community participation in public works is an avant garde concept in India. The proclivity to target public property during times of unrest can be seen as a lack of the sense of community ownership. An enlightened citizenry imbued with deep social conviction is therefore the need of the hour to preserve public property.

Here is an illustration of one such magical transformation. The Cauvery Irrigation Corporation owns and maintains the 13.5 km stretch between Beechanalahalli and N Beguru villages at Heggadedevanakote taluk in Mysore district. The road constructed in the year 1962 has high vehicular density on account of its proximity to Kabini back waters and several resorts enroute. After a lapse of a good four decades, the road witnessed some facelift in the year 2000. Since then, much to the chargin of localites, isolated repair works to fill the potholes have failed to maintain even the surface of the road. Neither the Corporation nor the grumbling public took any initiative to ensure a smooth drive along the road.

One fine day in 2006, a few workers were seen repairing the road. Dr Balasubramanyam, the co-ordinator of Swamy Vivekananda Youth Movement, soon learnt that a proposed visit by the chief minister had kickstarted the work on the road and that a sum of 30 lakh had been released for the same.

However, perplexed by the sum sanctioned for asphalting a stretch of 13.5 km, Dr Balasubramanyam smelt a rat. The Right to Information Act came in handy for him and he sought details of the project from the Corporation under the Act.

Surprises galore awaited Dr Balasubramanyam, as he obtained the required information from the Corporation. In fact, there were no records relating to the project. Neither was any tender called nor was there any contractor to execute the work. The work on the road was taken up on the written order of the local MLA who was a nominated office-bearer of the Corporation.

Dr Balasubramanyam then urged the officers of the Corporation to release more funds for the work and got Rs 80 lakh more sanctioned.

Making use of this opportunity, Dr Balasubramanyam decided to revolutionise the entire system. Incidentally, a few people, evincing concern over the quality of public works, volunteered to do their bit, leading to the formation of a vigilance squad of 20 enthusiastic citizens. They were enlightened on the role of communities in public projects. The members of the squad were also briefed on the quality and quantity of materials used for the work, the blue print, measurements and funding details.

The contractors, on their part, assured to complete the work satisfactorily in time. Members of the vigilance squad, most of them from rural areas, dedicated their time and energy to supervise the work. When in doubt, they didn’t hesitate to contact the officers concerned for clarification.

Public-State participation

Madan Kalasur, who involved himself in this unique ‘public-state participation’, is now an illuminated soul.
“I was so far under the impression that using roads is our sole right and the rest lies with the State. I always used to blame the government for poor roads. Now I have realised the role of community in the implementation of development works.”

“While I was supervising the work in the scorching heat of March, I often used to wonder why I took over this responsibility. However, the thought of spending my energy for the welfare of the community at large gave me a sense of satisfaction,” says Mohammed Sadiq, a local merchant.

Collective ownership

The active involvement of the public in this project has succeeded in generating a sense of collective ownership of the public property. Perhaps, it was with this concern that a farmer working in the nearby field asked his fellowman to use the plough intelligently so that the sharp edged agricultural equipment would not damage ‘their road.’

“It is our responsibility to ensure that it is maintained properly. For the last several years, we have traversed on mud roads. Now that we have a good road, we cannot afford to see it being damaged right in front of our eyes,” the people residing here add.

Yes, that is the power of community awareness, the Right to Information, and ultimately, the sheer pride of collective ownership.