BBMP claim baffles residents

BBMP claim baffles residents
By Satish Shile,DH News Service,Bangalore:
Koramangala is an area comprising of people from middle class and upper middle class. These residents allege that basic amenities provided to them are inadequate, though they contribute a major share towards the Palikes revenue...

“The roads in our area have not been asphalted even once for the last 15 years,” complains Ramesh. He has been running a sweetmeat shop on KHB colony road, in Koramangala 5th block, since 1978. During his long stay in the area he has seen the roads being asphalted - only twice.

The fate of many other roads in the Koramangala area is no different.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up upgradation of sidewalks and asphalting of the roads in Koramangala under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at a total cost of Rs 57.96 crore. The Centre approved the project on January 1, this year and released the first installment of its share of Rs 4.41 crore on February 23. The State Government has also released its share of Rs 1.89 crore. As of September this year, a sum of Rs 32.48 crore has been utilised for the work.

But residents are surprised to know that funds to this tune have already been spent for developmental works in their area. B Jagannath, who has been running a canteen in 5th block for the last 30 years, said that he has not seen any work related to upgradation of sidewalks and roads in the locality for many years now. “We don’t have proper roads, sidewalks and drains to facilitate free flow of rain water. Where has all the money gone?” he questioned.

When Deccan Herald visited Koramangala on Thursday morning, a day after the City received moderate rainfall, potholes on roads in 7th block were filled with rain water. Both motorists and pedestrians had a tough time wading through water.

Koramangala is an area comprising of people from middle class and upper middle class. These residents allege that basic amenities provided to them are inadequate, though they contribute a major share towards the Palike’s revenue.

Joseph, a retired Central Government employee and 7th block resident, says, “ We pay water charges, property tax and cess on time. There is a notion among Bangaloreans that Koramangala is an area of the rich. But the facilities we have speak for themselves. If one takes a walks past 1st, 2nd and 3rd cross of 7th block our miseries can be well understood.”

V Krishnamurthy, a stores manager with a private company, says that riding a two-wheeler in Koramangala during the rainy season is a Herculean task. “For almost one month in September, when heavy rains lashed the city, I hardly took out my two-wheeler. The roads were filled with rainwater and motorists would not know where they could fall down. I am surprised by the fact that the Palike has already spent Rs 32.48 crore for upgradation of roads and sidewalks. I have not seen any such work in my locality”, he said.

Koramangala is located in the limits of Uttarahalli Assembly constituency, represented by former minister R Ashok. Mr Ashok said many roads including the 80-ft road in Koramangala have been upgraded with the funds released under JNNURM.

However, work on other roads have been stopped due to rains. “I have asked the contractors to take up work in November when there are no rains. If road works are taken up during rains, the quality will suffer. Once the work is finished, residents of Koramangala will realise that funds are utilised properly,” he said.