LOT TO LEARN FROM A CITY NATION CALLED SINGAPORE

Yesterday, I had an useful interaction with Mr. Ajit Singh, the consul general of Singapore. Mr Ajit Singh, who is on a mission to explore collaborations with certain states of India in Urban development scenario virtually took me around Singapore right through our discussion. Incidentally, I have not seen Singapore till today.

 
Singapore has identified 6 states in India, where that city-nation wants to work in close collaboration with our Country. Especially in urban initiatives, such collaborations will definitely help. One or two things as explained by Mr. Singh - I felt – deserved to be shared with you.

a) Singapore gets water from Malaysia as of now. The city nation apprehends that, serious interruptions in water supply may occur  due to probable differences of equations between the two countries. In order to contain the serious problems, that may arise, Singapore has decided that after 2016, when the present agreement with the neighboring country comes to an end, the same WILL NOT BE renewed. Instead, it is taking serious steps to launch its own water schemes. Singapore doesn’t have perennial source of water. Then how can they feed their people? Where would they get water when the same is stopped from Malaysia?

Singapore will produce its own drinking water! But How?  The waste water after tertially treated will be taken to the reservoirs. The water after further treatment in the reservoirs will be made potable. The process is termed osmosis. Then Singapore will become self-sufficient in this sector too.

b) The traffic management in Singapore is of high standard. In fact, I learnt that Bangalore Police have studied Singapore model to implement with necessary local improvements. There, depending upon the traffic flow the signal lights get synchronized and the timings get adjusted.

c) The steps taken to have a control over the number of private vehicles is also worth considering. Each year, Singapore Govt will announce the number of new cars that will be allowed on the roads in that particular year. That will be rationed on a monthly basis. To get permission to purchase a new car, one should participate in a sort of auction process and whoever will become a successful bidder, can only go for a new car. This is unique in a sense. But yes, the public transport system there is excellent.

The population of Singapore is around 5 million, whereas Bangalore has crossed 9 million as per the latest census figures available. One cannot easily compare our situation here with them. Their stringent laws, the low percentage of below the poverty line section, economic vibrancy and last but not the least, the responsible citizen are also factors to be reckoned with.

A Bangalorean, when visits Singapore think that it is his Fundamental DUTY to follow their rules, regulations as long as he stays. BUT, the moment he lands in Bengaluru International Airport, he feels that it is his Fundamental RIGHT to flout all rules, regulations here. The system and the citizen-both-should be ready to change.  It is easy to speak about and envy with Singapore. But it is surely difficult to take necessary steps to become one. One of our CMs had announced that Bangalore will be made another Singapore but that dream could not come through. Governments alone would not be responsible.

S.SURESHKUMAR