According to BBMP Commissioner M
Lakshminarayana, walkie-talkie handsets will be used to relay messages
on uncleared garbage. When members of the public call the BBMP’s control
rooms with complaints on uncleared waste, staff will relay the
information to the officials concerned via walkie-talkie.

Interestingly,
the plan could cut costs as it does not involve purchase of new
equipment. Instead, nearly 300 two-way radios, that are currently used
by senior officials or fitted to their service vehicles, will be
redistributed to other staff.

Lakshminarayana explained that
currently walkie-talkies were provided to staff of the rank of assistant
executive engineers and above. “However, the service was not effective
as officials were using mobile phones,” he said.

“Now, in order to
utilise the service more effectively, we are planning to provide this
service only to officials working in SWM such as health inspectors,
assistant engineers (including ward engineers) and others,” he said.

Explaining
further, Lakshminarayana said walkie-talkie handsets given to officials
working in welfare, roads and other departments will be withdrawn.

“These officials do not require this service,” he said.

He also said because of unnecessary lines, walkie-talkie communication was not effective.

“All
these days, walkie-talkie service was hierarchy-based and given to
senior officials. But now onwards, it will be an activity-based
service,” he added.

The Commissioner said he had asked the joint
commissioner (Health), who is in-charge of SWM, to provide a list of
officials working in the department.

However, some Councillors are
sceptical. A senior councillor from the BJP, who wished to remain
anonymous, said “Our officials do not have commitment. If we complain
about garbage on the streets to them over phone, they will not make an
attempt to clear it.”

“Now, complaints will be conveyed to
officials via walkie-talkie from control room staff. How can one expect
them to clear the garbage?,” he questioned.