For over 18 months the sidewalk clearing, garbage clearance etc. had suffered at our house in 8th Block, Jayanagar. The corporation officials, when contacted, were uninterested. The cleaners were at times extremely rude. Garbage piled up and was not cleaned for days together.

All that changed within 72 hours of the below application being made! Here is the original application that was submitted to the RTI cell at BBMP:

Application under the Right To Information Act 2005

To The Public Health Office (South) / Public Information Officer, Bangalore Mahanagar Palike, Bangalore 560011

Dear Sir,

I wish to know the arrangement that is in vogue

1. For cleaning the street 36th cross, 8th block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560082

2. The arrangement for collecting domestic garbage from residential houses of this street

3. Cleaning the footpath and the drain in the road.

4. I would appreciate your letting me know who is in charge of this work, the Bangalore City Corporation or an authorized contractor assigned to undertake these jobs and the number of employees appointed for this job. I would like to bring your kind notice that for nearly 18 months now we do not have a permanent employee of the corporation to do these jobs.

5. Kindly also furnish the name of the officer that we need to contact when required, his name, designation and contact number, if possible.

I would appreciate your speedy action in this regard.

In accordance with the Right To Information Act 2005, I am attaching a Postal Order No xxxxxxxxxxxxxx for Rupees Ten only.