Residents’ federation makes for greener J P Nagar

Residents’ federation makes for greener J P Nagar
The residents’ welfare associations in J P Nagar have contributed to the development of the locality’s green cover, roads and street lighting, says Leena Mudbidri


There is no doubting the power of a united people. And when residents of a large neighbourhood come together to rally for common benefits, it can spur on residents of other neighbourhoods too to go ahead and take up the initiative and not rely on government agencies alone. One locality that has set the pace for such a residents' welfare movement is J P Nagar.
Almost each Phase in J P Nagar has its own residents' welfare association (RWA) working in the interest of its neighbourhood. A large one is the Federation of J P Nagar 7 & 8 Phase Residents Welfare Associations (FJPNRWA) at Gouravnagar, a registered body, which has a way with the civic agencies in getting its work done.
K Sundar Raj, President of the Federation, says, "We have over two lakh residents from various layouts as members. We have teachers, doctors, realtors, businesspersons, software engineers and so on who take time out to meet and discuss residents' grievances."
Getting the BDA to lay the Puttenahalli Main Road in record time was a feather in its cap. The Federation has many other achievements to its credit. The members got a borewell installed to cater to the water needs of all the other layouts around. One thousand saplings were planted along the Kothanur Dinne Road during a Vanamahotsava it had organised. The saplings were bought from the Forest Department of the BBMP. The members requested a realtor in the vicinity to put up sodium vapour streetlights in several neighbouhoods at Eshwaranagar, Gouravnagar, Jamboonagar, Gayatri Tapovan, M S Ramaiah City, RBI Layout, Natraj Layout, etc.
The aim of the welfare associations is to develop the neighbourhood and provide basic amenities to all without depending on the civic authorities concerned. "For 11 years we had no tarred road on the 6-km Kothanur Dinne Road. We got it done ourselves instead of waiting for the BDA to initiate works," informs Raj.
The resident's welfare association of Gayatri Tapovan is in the process of shaping a perfect neighbourhood. The aim of the association, says G Jagadish, committee member of the welfare association in J P Nagar 8 Phase, is to make it a 'model neighbourhood' in the city. "We believe in enforcing civic sense among our residents so that each one contributes to the cleanliness and development of the city," he says. "We approach the civic authorities in a cordial manner and get them to address our grievances without any procrastination so that our issues do not accumulate," he adds.
The residents developed a park on a 10,000 sqft vacant site in the area. "We got in touch with the owners who had no plans of selling the plot for at least five-six years. We requested them to allow us to develop it into a park and introduced a walking and jogging track," informs Jagadish.
Social events are organised to promote interaction among the residents. "We meet every last Sunday of a month and organise sports and music programmes. Every Sunday our committee conducts a meeting to discuss issues regarding road works, streetlights, water supply, drainage and other grievances," he adds.
The Chalukya Geleyara Balaga is another perfect example of how residents of a neighbourhood can contribute towards a better society. The welfare association has donated an ambulance and two hearse vans for round-the-clock free service for entire J P Nagar. A ladies association extends help to widows and specially challenged children.