Binnypet: Ward imbalance haunts residents

Binnypet: Ward imbalance haunts residents

Deccan Herald

Binnypet, the largest Assembly constituency in the City, presents a picture of contrasts. While it houses very clean residential localities, the City’s dirtiest slums are also here. While buildings with mind boggling architecture have come up in some wards, there are still areas which have huts and tin-roof structures.

In fact, there is no uniformity among any of the 12 wards with respect to development. In other words, Binnypet constituency suffers from ward imbalance like the State, which suffers from regional imbalance.

This being the case, MLA V Somanna who has won for the third consecutive time from this constituency, faces the daunting task of upgrading infrastructure facilities in the backward areas to match that of the developed wards. At the same time, there is a need to further upgrade infrastructure facilities in the developed wards in tune with the fast growth.

Interestingly, the residents of developed areas like Vijayanagar, RPC Layout and MC Layout are by and large satisfied with the basic amenities though they want other problems like vehicular traffic to be handled properly. But people in other wards like Padarayanapura, JJ Nagar, Bapujinagar and Azadnagar crave for better infrastructure. Narrow roads and stench emanating from open drains has made life difficult in these areas. The residents here are angry that Mr Somanna has not taken any steps to implement the poll assurance of improving infrastructure in their areas. They even allege that the MLA has ignored them while taking care of the interests of other wards.

But Mr Somanna argues that the infrastructure facilities in these lower-middle class areas and slums were even worse when he took over. He claims that he brought about a semblance of order in these areas. Stating that a scheme is on the anvil to tackle infrastructure problems in these backward wards, he assures that the condition of these areas would improve in about a year.

Even the developed areas are not totally problem-free. With the residential areas fast becoming commercial ones, new problems have cropped up as roads designed for residential layouts are not wide enough for commercial activities, resulting in traffic and parking problems. Increased and unregulated movement of vehicles has resulted in more accidents.

The presence of a large number of kalyana mantaps in the area has also added to the traffic and parking woes. Office-goers express concern that travelling in the area during peak hours is a test of patience due to traffic jams. Will Mr Somanna respond to their problems and stand up to their expectations?

VOTERS’ VOICE

Mahadev Dhadd, President, KASSIA: Civic amenities are not bad here (Vijayanagar). But heavy traffic is the main problem. Besides, the open drain here should be covered to reduce mosquito menace.

Mujahid Pasha, President, Madarasa Arabia Madinatul Uloom Association: The assurance of constructing a ‘regular’ bridge over the big drain in Padarayanapura is yet to be implemented.

Hanumantharayappa, Secretary, Magadi Chord Road Residents’ Welfare Trust: A playground should be constructed on the 300-acre government land in addition to toilets in MC Layout.

Ratna, housewife: The sanitary pipes are choked in Timber Yard Layout.
This not only causes stench, but has also made life miserable.

SOMANNA SAYS

*I have given importance to civic amenities, health and education.
*The condition of slums was worse when I took over and I have given them a semblance of order.
*These areas will be improved within a year as a scheme is to be taken up soon for developing Padarayanapura (at Rs 2.5 crore), JJ Nagar (Rs one crore), Azadnagar (Rs one crore).
*The narrow bridge in Padarayanapura will be replaced with a new bridge built at a cost of Rs 45 lakh
*A fly-over will be constructed at the Vijayanagar-Mysore Road intersection.
*I am trying to convince the authorities to build a railway station near RPC layout so that Mysore-Bangalore trains can have a brief stop here. This will help reduce road traffic to a large extent.