It’s just over a decade since his job with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) brought this engineer, a native of Dharwad, to the city from Mumbai. But Sanjeev V. Dyamannavar’s untiring crusade to help build an informed debate on the need for commuter rail service (CRS) in the city that is on the verge of becoming a reality.
Mr. Dyamannavar, a sales and marketing manager with BEL, was one of the early advocates of commuter rail service. RITES Ltd. has now prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for commuter rail service, which is being actively considered by the government.
“I worked for a long time in Mumbai, which has an excellent commuter rail service. When I came to Bengaluru in 2002, I was surprised at the chaos the city’s transport was in as BMTC has even today remained the sole player. Commuter rail service is the need of the hour, and it complements both BMTC and Namma Metro,” he said.
Right to Information Act, 2005, came as a handy tool to this activist, who by then had put together a group of around eight people with domain expertise in various verticals like urban transport, lake conservation and urban reforms. “One thing I believe is the need for an informed debate. So we started an online discussion forum called Praja.in, a research analysis and advocacy group where the discussions are moderated and well documented,” he said.
Sanjeev, who concentrates on urban transport has now diversified to fight for pedestrian safety. He has been a key campaigner to get the South Western Railway (SWR) put up railway overbridges and foot overbridges at key locations like Hebbal, Jalahalli, Yelahanka and Kodigehalli among others.
His significant contribution has been developing www.praja.in into a platform for informed debate on the city’s myriad issues, aided with domain expertise and officials of civic agencies interlocuting with the citizens through the platform.
Projects he is working on: Working on alternatives to thermocol, which is a non-biodegradable packing material and contributes substantially to pollution. Also advocating ban on thermocol.
Working on mechanisms to segregate electronic waste at every home.
He is part of Jakkur and Rachenahalli lake protection committees.
Suggestions to government Multimodal integrated transportation system involving BMTC, Railways and Namma Metro.
Clear encroachments of lakes, and fence the lakes; harvest rain water in all public spaces.
Treat public open spaces like parks, gardens sacrosanct. Focus on pedestrian access to roads, also an open public space.
What must Bengalureans do? Actively participate in resolving civic issues by taking it up with authorities concerned.
Keep public spaces clean, use water responsibly, and respect pedestrians.
Contribute for the development city by sharing individual expertise and knowledge.
