Poor BMTC services in Basaveshwaranagar

Poor BMTC services in Basaveshwaranagar
The Times of India

Bangalore: How developed is a city or a state if the lifeline of the masses which is public transport is unreliable and in poor condition?

Such is the case in Basaveshwaranagar, where middle income group commuters rely heavily on buses. The services of which are
unpredictable and inefficient.

“The Basaveshwaranagar bus stand is neither asphalted properly nor tarred. Separate bus bays/platforms don’t exist and there is no proper security to ensure the premises is not misused. Basic facilities like wash basins and toilets are non-existent. Commuters suffer from many inconveniences,’’ rues M Ravindranath, president, SBI officers residents welfare association.

The CA site at Sharada Colony (Kyatamaranahalli Housing Society) measuring about two acres was given to BMTC by BDA about 15 years ago to set up a bus terminus.

Although a building was constructed a few years ago, the stand is in a state of neglect with very few buses plying on it. It’s also poorly maintained with hardly any basic amenities.

There is little connectivity to important destinations in the city. Worse, several buses have either been cancelled or their frequencies reduced. Only 18 buses going to four areas including Banashankari, Koramangala, Shivajinagar and Majestic are available.

Complains Y Narasimha Rao, a resident: “We have no forum to express our grievances. Citizens should be allowed to actively take part in the Ward Committee meetings to discuss all matters related to us. Unless core issues are addressed, no development can take place.’’

The residents also allege that a portion of the land allotted for the bus stand is encroached upon and is yet to be recovered by the BMTC. Proof was furnished to the managing director, BMTC in this regard by T N Prakash, president of Kyatamaranahalli Society. In addition to this, four acres of land purchased by the BMTC in Saneguravanahalli lies unused.

A rift has arisen between citizens and civic authorities over what should the land be utilised for. Residents want it to be used for BMTC services whereas authorities are of the opinion that it should be converted into a playground for children.

There is a total failure to implement a comprehensive transport plan for Basaveshwaranagar. Why can’t this land be utilised to establish a depot for better bus services? Students, office goers and senior citizens will benefit from this. Such an initiative will be highly beneficial for all concerned, claim residents.
However, BMTC officials tell a different tale. They assert that there have been no encroachments in the area. They maintain that a small portion of the stand is reserved for parking non-BMTC vehicles, which is assumed as encroached land by the public.

There are no plans in the immediate future to upgrade the bus stand but four buses will be added in a month’s time.

IN A NUTSHELL
l Absence of a hygienic vegetable market l Encroachment of pavements by vendors l Damaged and cratered internal roads l Irregular cleaning of roads l Improper garbage disposal system l Sub-standard and unscientific rain water drain coverage l Parking heavy vehicles on main roads disrupting traffic l Mushrooming of many schools without playgrounds

MINISTERSPEAK: R ASHOK
“Basaveshwaranagar is a good area. There is no shortage of BMTC buses in the locality. I have not received any complaints in this regard.As far as the BMTC land is concerned, I feel it should be converted into a playground. I have requested the BMTC to hand over the land for this purpose. And funds up to Rs 4 crore have been sanctioned to asphalt roads and construct storm water drains.’’