City’s oldest landmark needs urgent face-lift

City’s oldest landmark needs urgent face-lift
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Once known as the most common landmark of Bangalore, the Ashoka Pillar square in Jayanagar, today stands in a dilapidated condition, regardless of the fact that it is located next to Lalbagh, the world famous botanical garden which attracts over 15,000 visitors from all over the world every day.

Blame it on unfulfilled promises made by civic authorities or the bad luck of Jayanagar residents, Bangaloreans are the losers in the bargain. The pillar, which marked the formation of the largest layout in Asia - Jayanagar - has been converted into a dumping ground for filth.

Originally, Ashoka Pillar square had a beautiful garden, surrounded by a lush green lawn and four smaller pillars with illumination. The square had secured first prize during the Lalbagh flower shows arranged by the horticultural department.

Sadly, for the past several years, no effort has been made to restore the square and now, a petty tea shop has even moved into it.

The local residents have been running from pillar to post to bring it to the notice of authorities, but all in vain. Members of FORCE (First Block Organisation of Residents for Clean Environment) had held discussions with former Mayor Ramesh, who, they said, assured a Rs 5 lakh grant for renovating the square.

The money, however, did not reach its destination as it was later included in the fund which was supposedly used for the beautification of City circles.

"The fence in the pillar area has been broken and the trees here have not been trimmed for many years. Once, the surrounding areas of this pillar was known for nurseries, but even they are fast vanishing," said B L G Rao, FORCE co-ordinator.

He also blamed the government for showing step-motherly treatment to Jayanagar 1st Block, saying that it was because political parties did not have their desired vote banks in the area. "Local leaders and the area corporator should initiate beautification work at the Ashoka Pillar.

According to a city historian Arun Prasad, this pillar was a replica of Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath. "In 1948, the largest residential area in Bangalore was formed and to mark the beginning of this new layout, an Ashoka pillar was erected by the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, the then Governor of Mysore state. Later, the newly formed layout was named after him," Prasad said.

"The pillar has the royal emblem of the Wodeyars - Gandabherunda," he added.

"Already the pillar square area has shrunk. Structures or monuments in and around the city should be protected and maintained, or else, probably in the course of time, this pillar will also become extinct due to neglect in its upkeep," he said.