Posh yet poor, Shantinagar has everything and nothing

Posh yet poor, Shantinagar has everything and nothing

Deccan Herald

One of the largest revenue generating constituencies in the City, the Shantinagar assembly constituency has witnessed rapid development over the years. But development has come at a cost. Traffic congestion worries the residents in most parts of the constituency.

First time MLA S Raghu has been literally bombarded with complaints of traffic congestion, narrow roads, irregular water supply. “Where is the MLA”, ask residents of Shantinagar and Richmond Town. Not that they don’t know their MLA.

They want the MLA to speed up works related to construction of Airport Road flyover, road widening in several areas, besides ensuring regular water supply.

Residents of Alfred Street and Langford Road want a flyover near Vellara junction on Hosur Road to ease the enormous traffic congestion. “We pay taxes and it’s the duty of the civic agencies to provide the facilities,” residents said.

Shantinagar assembly segment, which comes under Bangalore North parliamentary constituency, has about 1.80 lakh voters. The constituency is dotted by posh localities including M G Road, Brigade Road, Langford Road, Richmond Town, parts of HAL II stage besides the ever busy Johnson Market and slums. Software companies, boutiques, restaurants jostle for space along with industrial units in various parts of the constituency.

MLA S Raghu has hardly made himself visible in the constituency after getting elected, residents complain. Former MLA M Muniswamy too concurs with the views of the residents and said that the present MLA has hardly visited the constituency after getting elected. “Developmental works has come to a stand still,” he said.

During my tenure, road widening was undertaken on the stretch from Victoria Road to Infant Jesus Church. The present MLA has not bothered to get the road tarred, he said.

But the MLA counters “I am doing my best to take up developmental works”. The fact is that legislators have not been allotted funds to take up developmental works, he said. Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Corporators have more funds at their disposal, he added.

Residents of Indiranagar and Domlur are angry at the delay in the completion of the Airport Road flyover, connecting Indiranagar 100-feet road and Intermediate Ring Road. Work on the flyover, which commenced in April-May 2003, should have been completed by now, residents said.

RAGHU RECITAL
Work on two football stadia has been taken up in Jogupalya and Gowthampura at a cost of Rs 45.83 lakh and Rs 49.71 lakh

Rs 30 lakh sanctioned for covering up storm water drains in Jogupalya.

Rs 30 lakh sanctioned for stadium at Domlur.

Ensured regular water supply in Akkithimmanahalli area.

Renovation of Samudaya Bhavan in Adugodi taken up.

Three mini-buses introduced in Adugodi

VOTERS’ VOICE

S C Burman, former City Police Commissioner and chairman of Apex Committee of 20 resident associations of HAL II stage: Work on the Airport Road flyover has come to a standstill. The Government made a mistake in entrusting the contract to Uttar Pradesh state bridges corporation. The resident associations are may file a PIL.

Radhika, owner of a provision store in Austin Town: Earlier drinking water was supplied every day. Now water is supplied on alternate days and the supply is irregular.

Vasudev T Shriyan, manager, New Shanthi Sagar hotel, Domlur: Traffic is enormous during peak hours at the entrance of Domlur Layout 7th cross road on Airport Road. Either a traffic signal should be installed to regulate traffic or a policeman should be posted on 24-hour duty to man the junction.

Capt K Madhava Pai, resident of Shantinagar: Roads are in pretty bad shape in Shantinagar. Traffic snarls has become a regular feature. A traffic policeman should be posted