Harsha Raj Gatty Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Piped gas yet to reach majority of Bengaluru households

September 25, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

GAIL was to supply piped gas to 1.32 lakh households in Bengaluru by 2020, but it’s yet to reach large parts of the city. The focus currently is on setting up the infrastructure network, and not on supply, says the company’s spokesperson.

Social distancing spurs interest in bike-rental services

August 25, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Thepfunguno Kuotsu

The pandemic could be pushing Bengalureans towards a commuting option that ensures both social distancing and last-mile connectivity: IOT-based bike-rental services.

Lack of guidelines, standardisation turn Bengaluru footpaths into deathtraps

August 13, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Why are the majority of footpaths in Bengaluru unusable? A major reason is that these are built as per the discretion of the local engineer and contractor, without adhering to any specific standards.

College teachers miss classroom interaction, say online’s not working

July 31, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Bengaluru colleges have tried to adapt to online classes, yet the faculty themselves say these classes are boring and ineffective.

a domestic help preparing food in the kitchen

Call them back to work; They’re waiting

June 24, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Manasi Paresh Kumar

In earlier articles in the Ground Reality series, we looked at cash shortage, food insecurity and domestic conflict in poor urban households during the lockdown. They are now trying to rebuild their lives. This is about how we can help.

How lockdown + unemployment + hunger + liquor increased domestic conflicts in low income households

June 18, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Pranshu Rathee

Adding alcohol to the already-potent mix of livelihood loss and food insecurity set off a range of mental health issues. It manifested in domestic conflicts in low-income households. Women were often at the receiving end of volatile emotions and domestic violence.

Poor people queue up for relief supplies during the lockdown

Unsure of next meal, poor Bengaluru slept on empty stomach during lockdown

June 17, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Pranshu Rathee

While authorities failed to assess the extent of the crisis, food security and hunger haunted the poor working class throughout the lockdown.

Metro workers in a labour colony during lockdown

Without cash, migrant workers fall back on their families for roti, kapda, makaan

June 16, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty and Pranshu Rathee

With no income, the lockdown affected every aspect of an informal worker’s life. It was only reverse remittances that kept them afloat, finds out the first of this four-part Ground Reality Series

Can amended Zonal Regulations protect heritage in Bengaluru?

May 28, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Bengaluru has lost many of its heritage sites to rapid urbanisation. Last month, state government amended Zonal Regulations so as to identify and preserve a wide range of heritage sites.

Two years, one lakh wells: Can ‘Million Wells’ movement help solve Bengaluru’s water crisis?

May 12, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

In just two years, ‘A Million Wells’ movement has inspired Bengalureans to dig over 1.2 lakh recharge wells. If more citizens take up the cause, it could very well solve the city’s water crisis.

Will your neighbourhood grocery store recover from COVID lockdown?

May 5, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Neighbourhood shops selling essentials have stayed open during lockdown, but even they have suffered severe losses. Disrupted supply chain, extremely low footfalls, lack of movement passes and home delivery staff meant they have a long road to recovery.

Articles by Harsha Raj Gatty