Amenities OK, HRBR Layout residents still unhappy

Amenities OK, HRBR Layout residents still unhappy
The Times of India

Bangalore: It neither has water shortage nor load shedding issues. The roads are clean and rarely are there complaints of overflowing storm water drains.

Yet, residents of HRBR Layout are unhappy with how their Layout has taken shape in the recent years.

Reason? A split among members of the Kalyan Nagar residents welfare association and clashes with local villagers from Banaswadi.

It began in 2001 when the association was conducting its general body meeting for 2001-02. Some residents along with the villagers and support from localpoliticians disrupted the meeting. They announced names of the members of the managing committee.

Since then, disunity among residents and interference from local villagers has been affecting further development of the area — lack of a park — being just one of them.

The BMP had earmarked a 3.5-acre park for the Layout for which Rs 12.8 lakh was sanctioned in 2003-04. The park area is currently fenced with chain links.

“We noticed cement slabs being erected at one corner of the park and painted white making it look like a burial ground,” said C M Subbaiah, a resident.

Despite the fact that there are four burial grounds in the first, second and third block of HRBR Layout, no one has questioned or asked for the removal of the cement blocks, bringing work in the park to a standstill.
Moreover, the 48-acre land on which a part of the HRBR Layout has been built is reportedly illegal as the BDA developed the plot without obtaining prior permission from the revenue department.

According to the blueprint, the Layout is supposed to have a playground, police station, fire brigade station, post office and a BMTC terminal. “The case was heard in the High Court. The issue was sent to the deputy commissioner, urban, with whom it has been pending for long,” added Subbaiah.

Meanwhile, another residents association, Apoorva Citizens Forum, has sprung up.

Formed three-months-ago, the group has sent a list of suggestions to the Jawahar Lal Nehru Renewable Mission to take note of the accident-prone intersection at the 9th main road and Ring Road, beautification of footpaths and suggested the construction of a subway at the Ring Road to regulate pedestrian traffic.

“There are people with vested interests but why should the area suffer?” asked Ashok Betraj, a founding member of the forum.

HRBR Layout, primarily a residential area, is divided into three blocks. The first block starts from Banaswadi - Anjaneya temple till 80 Feet Road; second starts from 80 Feet Road and extends to Sena Vihar; third from Sena Vihar to Hennur bus depot. While the first and part of the second block come under ward number 88, the third is under ward number 89.

Next: Whitefield


MLASPEAK: B PRASANNA KUMAR

The area does not encounter that many problems.The fact that there are two corporators looking after the area might be the reason why the area is not reaching its full potential. I will certainly work towards the development of the park and will also inquire about the 48-acre land under dispute with the DC commissioner, urban. Otherwise,I don’t have any development plans for the Layout.