‘We have had enough of this’

PEOPLE’S VOICE
‘We have had enough of this’
The Times of India

Problems galore:
Since 1995, civic agencies have been collecting betterment charges after Kanakanagar became a recognised ward (BCC Ward No. 96). There are over 20 cross-roads and 2,000 houses here, but no asphalted roads. There is a water problem every day; most people use borewell water which has a high nitrate content. Nobody seems to be serious about the area, it is absolutely neglected. There are no proper culverts, garbage is left for a week.
— David Fernandes, general secretary, Kanakanagar Residents’ Welfare Association

Gaping potholes:
There are bone-breaking potholes in Puttenahalli. It starts with JP Nagar 7th Phase. Even if you are travelling by car, the experience is terrible, let alone two-wheelers and autorickshaws. Only a portion of the road was asphalted years ago; it has vanished now. The Bommanhalli CMC had promised to asphalt roads by December 2004. Now they tell us that tenders have been called for. The MLCs and corporators don’t do anything at all. Everybody is paying taxes, what is happening to all the money?
— V Parthasarathy, 85-year old citizenmember, Brigade Mayflower Association, Puttenahalli

Thank God for small mercies:
The ST Bed area in Koramangala was originally a BDA layout and later taken over by the BCC. The road was laid a year ago but it has crumbled considerably. The 8th Main road in front of Bethany School is not tarred. However, compared to neighbouring areas like Ejipura, Kavery Colony and Friends Colony, I can only say we are better off. We don’t have to worry about roofs falling on our heads.
— K Venugopal, member, Koramangala ST Bed Residents’ Welfare Association

Stop passing the buck:
At Amarjyothi Layout, drains have never been desilted. The vertical stone slabs fell off years ago. Consequently, drains are at road level now, so how can rain water flow freely? The roads are not as per PWD and IRC standards, it is as if quarry dust has been spread all over. Garbage collection is done once in three days. My suggestion: ask citizens about their problems and act immediately. Let corporators stop passing the buck.
— Rudraiah, secretary, Amarjyothi Layout Residents’ Welfare Association

Time to buck up:
Most roads have cracked up in Banashankari II Stage, there are so many potholes. Last year, many packages were announced for different roads and wards. But the main asphalting work hasn’t been done because the contractor demanded higher rates. Now, they are giving the excuse of monsoon and saying they will take up work in November. A lot of money has been earmarked, successive commissioners have reeled out crores of money as statistics. But they have to ensure quality which is badly lacking.
— Y V Ashwathnarayana, member, Consumer Care Society, Banashankari II Stage.

Blame it on flyover:
Residents near Airport Road began facing problems after the Indiranagar-Koramangala flyover work stopped. Projects like this get held up too often simply because the contractor leaves midway citing cost escalation. We are told work will resume soon... when?
— P K Venkatramanan, group co-ordinator, Residents’ Initiative For Safe Environment.

Humpy-dumpy roads:
Till a few months ago, the roadblock was the Rajajinagar Entrance grade separator. Thankfully, it is over now. However, when one comes out of the grade separator, the traffic and humpy-dumpy roads are unimaginable. It’s wonderful to hear that crores of rupees have been allotted for roads, I wish it leads to greater quality.
— Sumitra Murthy, member, Rajajinagar Residents’ Welfare Association.