Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon, has once again criticized the municipal authorities in Bengaluru, this time for their failure to keep the city clean. In a social media post, she expressed her disappointment and frustration with the condition of the city, stating that a combination of lack of civic sense and the incompetence of the municipal corporation has made Bengaluru filthy. She emphasized the need for citizens to cooperate by not dumping garbage and creating ugly dark spots, but also stressed that the municipal authorities need to take responsibility for managing city garbage and debris.
Mazumdar-Shaw specifically called for better equipment and training to be given to pourakarmikas, the city’s waste collectors, to enable them to keep the city clean. She also suggested that zonal commissioners should take ownership of solid waste management, implying that a more decentralized and accountable approach is needed to address the issue. Her post received widespread support from citizens, who agreed that the city’s black spots were getting worse and that proper garbage collection was essential to prevent citizens from throwing away waste indiscriminately.
This is not the first time that Mazumdar-Shaw has spoken out about the city’s infrastructure and civic issues. Previously, she had criticized the condition of the Outer Ring Road and the quality of the city’s footpaths. Her comments have sparked a wider debate about the need for better urban planning and management in Bengaluru, which is known for its IT industry and startup culture, but struggles with basic civic amenities. By speaking out on these issues, Mazumdar-Shaw is using her influence to push for change and improvement in the city’s infrastructure and services. Her comments are likely to resonate with many citizens who are frustrated with the city’s poor condition and are demanding better from their municipal authorities.