Broken promises make them angry and restless

Broken promises make them angry and restless
Deccan Herald

Two-time MLA of Malleswaram Assembly constituency M R Sitaram is known for his pro-people image. In May this year, Mr Sitaram created a record of sorts by becoming the first candidate in 25 years to be re-elected from the constituency.

However, a tour of the constituency reveals that there is a simmering discontentment among a section of the two lakh voters, who feel that their MLA, given his sphere of influence, could have done more.

Coming under Bangalore South Parliamentary constituency, Malleswaram houses several middle class residential localities, 12 slums and a number of commercial and revenue generating pockets. The constituency comprises six Bangalore Mahanagara Palike wards - Yeshwanthpur, Mathikere, Malleswaram, Kodandarampura, Dattatreya Devasthana and Swimming Pool Extension.
Residents feel that while there has been considerable improvement in civic amenities over the years, problems of drainage, drinking water and congested roads still persist.

The densely populated Yeshwanthpur and Mathikere areas are plagued by a plethora of problems. Narrow roads and traffic congestion are the order of the day in both residential and commercial pockets here. The narrow roads become narrower in the never-ending maze of cross roads, sublanes and bylanes. There is no sign of pavement anywhere on the bylanes and cross-roads. The area also abounds with anti-social elements after dusk. In localities like Vyalikaval and Dathatherya Devasthana, there is a dire need of new drainage system. The sewer lines laid decades ago cannot take the load now. Complaints about drains getting clogged during rains are common.

Residents of various slums dotting the constituency are angry that the promised projects have not commenced or have been left mid-way. “We were assured regular water supply, electricity and new houses. But nothing has been done so far. No houses have been allotted under the Ashraya Scheme” allege residents of Sunnadaguda Slum.

Next door, the Yeshwanthpur vegetable market near the railway station presents a picture of chaos. Narrow roads and traffic congestion are the order of the day even as motorists, vegetable vendors, stray cattle jostle for every available space. Vegetables are dumped by the roadside and the garbage remains uncleared.
The Yeshwanthpur Circle and Malleswaram Circle have become two major traffic bottlenecks of the City. From one of Bangalore’s secluded spots a few decades ago, the junctions today has become the gateway to the western and northern parts of the City. The result: Maddening chaos and traffic snarls during peak hours. Mofussil buses from Bangalore outskirts ply via Malleswaram and Yeshwanthpur to reach K R Market and other parts of Central Bangalore adding to the traffic chaos. The accident rate at these two junctions are also very high.



MR SITARAM SAYS

*Rs 5.5 crore project for asphalting roads initiated.
*Sidewalks on Sampige Road, Margosa Road, Malleswaram 8th, 13th 15th Main Roads completed.
* Regular ward-wise public grievances meetings held.
*Toilets and computers provided for 13th Cross Malleswaram Government Girls High School and 18th Cross Malleswaram Boys High School.
*Cauvery water scheme extended to all wards in the constituency.
*Plans to construct an underpass at Malleswaram Circle and overbridge at Yeshwanthpur Circle finalised.
*Ensured regular water supply in Papanagara.
* Design for overbridge crossing at Gokul finalised.

VOTERS’ VOICE

Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, BJP candidate who contested against Mr Sitaram in 2004 Assembly elections: The ongoing asphalting work is of very poor quality. Irregular drinking water supply in the constituency continues.

Manjula, resident of Sunnadaguda Slum and secretary, Yelamma Mahila Sangha: Water logging is common in pockets of Mathikere and Yeshwanthpur. Every time it rains, water enters our houses. There is no proper underground drainage system.
Gurumurthy, president, Yeshwanthpur Vegetable Market Association: There are no facilities available for the vegetable vendors. The promise made to house the market in a new building has long been forgotten.

Shashishekar, proprietor, Novelty Electrical: Nothing has happened in the last six months. No major infrastructure projects have been taken up though the constituency is congested.