Residents and civic issues

Residents and civic issues
Local residents are working closely with the government agencies to improve their localities
The Times of India

The Garden City is still a haven for those who seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of the everyday working world. Local residents are working closely with the numerous government agencies to improve their localities and to make Bangalore clean and green. In fact, local residents have always been instrumental in addressing and tackling issues like garbage collection, maintenance of hygiene, protection of the environment, water sources, development of parks etc. Janaagraha, for instance, is a platform that allows citizens to interact with government officials on a variety of issues related to a locality.

Today, local residents' associations are closely liaising with the government authorities and even politicians to ensure that their locality is well developed and has the proper infrastructure. And when residents have problems, the associations take it up with the appropriate department.

Mayor R Narayanaswamy says, "I welcome not only residents' associations but even individual citizens to approach me and air their grievances pertaining to their localities. Due importance will be given to addressing their problems at the earliest." Residents' associations typically approach him for repair of roads and footpaths, issues pertaining to water supply, removal of old and dangerous trees, garbage collection etc. In fact, when residents in Ward No 54 conducted a protest on the lack of sweeping, garbage collection, and debris in their ward, the Mayor immediately called for a meeting with all officers before the residents' association, and cleared their grievances. He receives an average of 10 complaints a day and assures that the issues will be addressed and cleared in a span of eight to 10 days.

The LIC/Canara Bank Colony/Hanumanthappa Layout Residents' Welfare Association in Jayanagar, for instance, has been working hard to address civic and other issues in their locality. Kumaresan, a committee member of this association, says that though there may be a delay in the action taken by the government agencies, the work does get done eventually. "There was a park which was not fully functional and we requested the previous urban development minister to convert it into a full-fledged park. Today, it's a wonderful place to relax and there's a laughter club that meets there every morning," he says. The association has been functioning successfully for the last four years and strives to ensure that it meets all the needs of the people and brings them more benefits. "We have a good rapport with the corporator, BCC officials, ministers etc. They have been good to us," he adds.

Similarly, G S Ramarao, President, Jayanagar 4th T Block Residents Association, talks about the work their association has been able to achieve with the help and support of their corporator, local MLA, BCC, BWSSB, and BESCOM. "We had a mini-park which we converted into a full fledged one and now we have two parks on 28th Main. We have also put up a footpath, sodium vapour lights, got potholes covered and asphalted roads. Since the Jayadeva flyover has been delayed, traffic has been diverted to 28th Main and we are facing a big problem on this road, as there's no footpath also. We would like the traffic to be diverted to East End Road as the road is wider," he explains. They are also seeking more Nirmala Sulabha toilets in their area and are clearing up garbage dumps that pose health threats. "Residents approach us with their problems and we contact the authority concerned for redressal," he adds, saying they have no complaints against any government agency, as they have all been cooperative.

"We are keen on making J P Nagar a model township and a pollution-free zone. We conduct civic awareness programmes, primary healthcare initiatives and develop parks. We set up a theme park called Dhanavantri Udhyana Vana in J P Nagar, 2nd Stage. It is a park that is filled with medicinal and aromatic plants. Thus, the park is not only good for relaxation, it has a healthy environment too. It's a biofriendly park and some more parks are in the offing. The corporator and BCC have been very understanding and supportive, and they have worked in the best interest of the public," stresses Dr Prathibha Vinay, former secretary of J P Nagar Citizens' Association.

Thus, most residents' associations seem to have formed a successful partnership with the respective government officials to make brand Bangalore stronger.