‘Problem isn’t lack of money but…’: P Chidambaram responds to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s Bengaluru road repair offer

P Chidambaram

Congress MP P Chidambaram has praised Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s offer to fund the repair works of roads in Bengaluru. Welcoming the move, Chidambaram pointed towards the challenges in execution while also suggesting a potential governance model.

"I noted with interest Mrs Kiran Mazumdar Shaw's offer to fund the development of some roads in Bengaluru. A great offer! Congratulations! But the problem with our public works is not the lack of public money; the problem is in the execution of the public work," Chidambaram said on X.

The senior Congress leader then proposed a governance model that pins supervision to a willing company or industrialist like Shaw.

"Governments can tweak Mrs Shaw's idea: Public money, tender, etc can be followed to select the contractor. After selection, the contractor will be placed under the supervision of a willing company or industrialist like Mrs Shaw," said Chidambaram.

While the contractor will execute the public work, the supervising company or industrialist will be responsible for the quality and timely execution of the work, he suggested.

“Any penalties or cost-overruns will be borne by the supervising company or industrialist,” Chidambaram stated, noting that Chennai or Bengaluru would be an apt place to experiment the idea.

Shaw, a well-known industrialist and one of India Inc’s most influential voices, found herself in a war of words with the Karnataka government over her remarks on Bengaluru’s roads.

Her online criticism last week sparked backlash from top Congress leaders, with Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar alleging she had a “personal agenda” and had “forgotten her roots.” He went on to quip that the government would gladly let her construct some roads if she wanted to.

On Tuesday, the industrialist met CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar to greet them on Diwali, and assured cooperation and support for Bengaluru's development.

Shivakumar, who is also the minister in-charge of Bengaluru development, later told reporters that Shaw has assured cooperation and support of the industry for the development of Bengaluru.