MCD, BMC ... More Of The Same

Political parties and high stakes mae elections are exactly what Indian cities don’t need

- Gautam Bhatia

“More than any other time in history,” wrote Woody Allen, “mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.”

Like Allen, for the most part, Indian cities oscillate between general dysfunction and complete mayhem. Whoever wins the upcoming municipal elections for the MCD in Delhi and the BMC in Mumbai, the choice sadly will remain between these two unpalatable options.

Bad governance: Cause or effect? 

It is often said that the Indian city is a mess because of a lack of effective governance. The converse is also true. The design of the Indian city, and its subsequent chaotic growth, itself creates flawed governance. Look anywhere and you will immediately be made aware of the strangulation and overlap of conflicting facilities.

● Residential colonies are densified without adequate addition of supporting utilities.

● Electric cables are stretched to provide loads to new – often illegal – settlements.

● Water mains are tapped for new construction without added supply or drainage.

● Parking is built on public sidewalks.

The incoherence of civic life refuses to align with accepted patterns of administration. In the end, any mapping of perennially changing neighbourhoods is not just difficult, but makes the task of creating an equitable area-wise policy near impossible.

Short-termism rules

Every few years, coincidentally just before elections – the FAR (floor area ratio) of residential areas is increased, slums are regularised, or upgraded; commercial and property tax defaulters are granted amnesty.