Banaswadi residents divided over flyover construction

Banaswadi residents divided over flyover construction
The Times of India

Bangalore: While Bangalore is battling for improvement in infrastructure, residents of Banaswadi have different priorities - they want education facilities for their children, home for senior citizens and action against land violators.


“All government schools in Banaswadi need attention as children from economically backward sections study in these schools. There is no personal supervision by authorities and malpractices are rampant. For years, some schools have been requesting the government to upgrade to the high school level to avoid school drop-outs. But the pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” complained managing trustee of Thirupuvanam Foundation, which runs the government Thirupuvanam higher primary Kannada and Tamil school.
There is also a dearth of English teachers in these schools. Either the teachers don’t engage classes regularly or are busy seeking transfers.
Residents also feel concerned about the the plight of senior citizens in their area - most of them are either thrown out of their houses or are troubled by serious diseases. “Some of them don’t even have a shelter. It’s a social problem and needs to be dealt with. The government should take necessary steps to protect their rights and open a home for senior citizens,” said a resident B Andrews.

While most of the residents endorse these demands, they seem to be divided on the construction of a flyover at Banaswadi which has been in news recently. “The faulty design of the flyover causes traffic congestion often. The situation worsens during peak hours. The authorities have now decided to add new ramps to it which is absolutely irrational. Traversing towards Kammanahalli and connecting areas has become a nightmarish experience,” the commuters complained.
On the contrary, former president of Residents Welfare Association of Bangalore East (REWABE) N Ramesh contends: “There is always a flip side to any development work. Flyovers are required to ease traffic flow. The BMP should take necessary steps to solve this problem .”
Encroachments and illegal constructions are also on a rise here. A large number of builders are involved in land violations, rued another resident Sampath Mudaliar.
OTHER PROBLEM AREAS

• Bad condition of interior roads & main roads

• Ineffective garbage clearance

• Uneven footpaths

• Old unreplaced sewage system

MLASPEAK: A KRISHNAPPA
“The main problem in government schools and other educational institutions is the lack of availability of class rooms. The strength of students in these schools are increasing because of various benefit schemes provided to them. Additional class rooms are being constructed where ever it’s necessary. The government has not released the funds for this year. Once it’s done better facilities can be provided.There are encroachments and illegal constructions on both government and private lands.As far as the government lands are concerned we have succeeded in recovering them back.The flyover is faulty, I have spoken to the BMP commissioner about it.’’