Vivek Vaidyanathan | | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Can we avoid steel flyovers and other faulty projects in future?

October 31, 2016 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Could systemic public engagement prevent imbroglios of the kind created by the Bengaluru steel flyover proposal? What steps and caveats would be necessary for that?

Can there be a market-based solution to pavement design in Bengaluru?

May 18, 2015 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Vivek Vaidyanathan offers a solution to the problem of non-maintenance of footpaths, wherein vendor spaces are auctioned and footpath maintenance is outsourced.

Commute

Can we just reclaim the roads that are not used anymore?

November 19, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Many roads in the city of Bengaluru have remained closed for a long time now, and the traffic moves smoothly without those roads. Why can’t those roads be used as public spaces?

Society

Protests in Bangalore: Are they effective enough?

September 22, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Why should people protest? Are the protests effective enough? What is a protest if it cannot make the desired impact? Vivek Vaidyanathan shares some thoughts.

Why do things move forward in Bangalore only when courts poke their nose into it?

September 20, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

If the court is compelled to poke its nose in all civic issues, what’s the use of government? Doesn’t it indicate lack of good governance?

Questions by Bengaluru MPs: What were they all about?

April 14, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Questions reflect the outlook of the MPs and their parties – they are literally a projection of their personalities!

Governance

When a Bengaluru MP spends his local fund in Andhra

April 2, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Did you know that Bengaluru MP P C Mohan used his local fund for a project in Nellore, AP? All kinds of facts emerge when you look at Bengaluru MPs’ MPLADS funds usage.

MPs’ engagement with citizens: What is the reality?

March 26, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Do they ever come back to see what the voters are doing, once voted to power? What is the experience of people of Bangalore?

Here’s what you need to know about Model Code of Conduct!

March 19, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Puzzled on what can and cannot be done by politicians during elections? Figure it out now – read on!

Governance

BJP fields D V Sadananda Gowda in Bangalore North

March 19, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

D V Sadananda Gowda is perceived as a performer, but he also has his own small share of controversies.

Governance

P C Mohan: After losing Assembly, back to Delhi race yet again

March 6, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Report card for Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan: 70% attendance, 252 questions, 79% funds utilised.

Governance

D B Chandre Gowda: Out from the game?

March 5, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

He represented Bengaluru North in the last Lok Sabha. An experienced politician perceived as clean, Chandregowda is not in the limelight anymore.

Governance

Five-time MP eyes B’lore South for the 6th time

February 25, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

86% attendance. 42 debates. 222 questions. What else does the Bangalore South MP have to his credit?

Commute

What should BMTC prioritise – public good, or profit-making?

January 10, 2014 Vivek Vaidyanathan

BMTC is one of the few profit-making public services. However, the public see the decision to buy high-end buses and hike prices according to the change in oil prices problematic.

Governance

Children spoke out; but did anyone listen?

March 20, 2012 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Children articulated major concerns in Bengaluru’s first ever Children’s Ward Sabha. But local politicians seemed to be pushing their own agenda.

Thrilled cops, wily drivers

March 5, 2012 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Traffic police’s surprise checks are good entertainment – not for those caught, but for those who watch.

Commute

Of different kinds of buses

March 13, 2011 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Is BMTC perpetuating a class difference with Volvos and regular buses?

Of courts, judges, lawyers and environmentalists

December 30, 2009 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Just being in that court room for the GKVK road hearing, seeing lawyers presenting their case, judges going through the evidence presented, petitioners and defendants arguing vehemently, nervous interns, curious onlookers – brings back interesting memories.

Notes from Delft, the city of cycles and other things Dutch…

November 16, 2009 Vivek Vaidyanathan

Reflections on latest developments in Bangalore from Delft, where behavior of bicyclists is not very different from that of Indian car drivers.

The theory of inevitability

August 4, 2009 Vivek Vaidyanathan

This theory is put into practice in every development project in Bangalore – from road widening to the Metro project, the trees bear the brunt.