Bengaluru: “Do you have a radio?” A routine question that census enumerators ask has become emblematic of the daily challenges they face on the ground. The question, part of the official census questionnaire, was met with an angry outburst from the resident of an apartment in Koramangala, who questioned its relevance and accused enumerator Vanitha (name changed on request) of asking “silly” questions.Despite attempts to explain that she was merely following a prescribed format, the elderly man did not calm down. When she pointed out that non-cooperation could invite legal action, the confrontation escalated, with the resident alleging intimidation.Later, the issue was resolved after a senior Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) official and another resident, a retired colonel, intervened and made the senior citizen see reason.Enumerators say such encounters are far from rare. Vanitha said resistance on the part of others and the frustration that followed at her daily grind had become a pattern. “It happens with all of us. I didn’t understand why the man got angry over being asked about owning a radio. In fact, people get irritated the moment we begin asking questions. Many seem fed up with answering the survey questions,” Vanitha added.For the first phase of National Census 2027, GBA on April 16 deployed over 25,000 enumerators to conduct door-to-door visits to collect data on 33 different household metrics. The census work is scheduled to end on May 15.TOI conducted a reality check Tuesday by accompanying a few enumerators in Koramangala 8th Block to understand how challenging the job on hand is.Locked housesEach enumerator is expected to cover 250 houses by May 15. The time taken to complete a survey per house (by asking all the questions) takes an average of three minutes. In apartments, the time taken is less than three minutes as most questions are skipped. “But our biggest problem is gaining access. Either houses are locked or the residents do not open the door fearing for their safety,” said enumerator Kumar. “We are forced to revisit such houses multiple times. Several residents have also gone away for summer vacation and are not available to answer,” he added.In fact, GBA officials in Koramangala have been making earnest efforts to expand coverage and complete census work in time. Facing pet dogs is another challenge for enumerators when they visit houses.Fatigue factorFatigue from frequent data collection drives and back-to-back surveys in the state has made Bengalureans less receptive, turning what should be a straightforward exercise into an ordeal for the field staff. “Awareness is the key for comprehensive census data, and that is clearly lacking among the public. None of them are aware of the census, and it is difficult for us to convince them to state their answers. Most of them dismiss us saying they have already answered questions, without realising it was for the caste census undertaken by the state govt earlier,” an enumerator said.Searing summerWith temperature crossing 36Celsius, intense heat is a major problem faced by enumerators. “Imagine climbing the stairs of a three-storey building in the searing heat and finding the house locked. It takes a toll on your patience,” said an enumerator who did not wish to be named.TOI learnt that enumerators usually go out early in the morning and work until noon, rest after lunch, and continue their work in the evening. They work more on Saturdays and Sundays hoping to find more residents. While some residents offer the enumerators a seat, water, washroom, and food, a majority are in a rush to get over the questions.A GBA official said, “We request residents’ welfare associations and apartment associations to convey to fellow residents the importance of participating in the national census.”
