Waiting to take-off

Waiting to take-off
DH News Service
Having put up with poor infrastructure for years, residents of Yelahanka and Byatarayanapura are now hoping for improvement in the conditions as they are part of BBMP...

Having put up with poor infrastructure for years, residents of Yelahanka and Byatarayanapura are now hoping for improvement in the conditions as they are part of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The Palike has
allocated Rs 70 crore for infrastructure facilities in Byatarayanapura zone in 2007-08.

Yelahanka, which is known for industries like the Rail Wheel Factory and Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, has witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years. The area also has several reputable educational institutions like Sheshadripuram Engineering College, Reva Engineering College, Delhi Public School and Infant Jesus College of Nursing.

As the area is located near the upcoming international airport near Devanahalli, property prices in Yelahanka and surrounding areas have seen a steady rise.

The biennial Aero India at Yelahanka air base is a popular show and attracts huge crowds. The area, despite rapid growth, still has a lot of lung spaces and good green cover. Also, pollution levels are lower, when compared to Bangalore city.

Residents’ pledge
In Yelahanka New Town, residents have taken a pledge to save the greenery in the area. Said G R Pai, a member of Citizens’ Forum, “We have started a campaign called ‘Clean Green Yelahanka New Town’ to ensure that our area is free from the garbage menace, especially problems caused by the plastic. We encourage residents to participate in proper disposal of garbage by making good use of the door-to-door collection of garbage.”

On December 23, the Forum is organising a fund raising event to stress the importance of protecting the environment and maintaining cleanliness in the area. The funds generated will be utilised for expanding its activities.

N Jayaram, Joint Commissioner of Byatarayanapura Zone, said Rs 23-crore projects would be taken up in Yelahanka old town.

“In Yelahanka old town, Maruti Nagar and surrounding areas, works like fixing of streetlights, providing water facility and repair of roads and drains have been taken up at a cost of Rs 13 crore. We are planning to take up works for Rs 10 under JNNURM for concretising small roads, construction of new schools, bus shelters and community halls in Yelahanka Old Town,” he said.

Apart from these, the Cauvery drinking water project - which is a joint venture between KUIDFC, BWSSB and Byatarayanapura zone, initiated in July at Govindapura circle of Nagavara in Yelahanka Constituency - is also under progress. Under this Rs 22.1-crore project, nearly three lakh people residing in 31 wards which come under the Zone will get water.

Already, a sum of Rs six crore has been spent on the project, which is scheduled to be completed in April 2008. Pothole and road cutting works on arterial/sub-arterial and main bus route roads are under progress.
Under the flood management relief, works in low-lying areas such as Bhandrappa Layout, Devi Nagar, Maruti Nagar and Balaji Layout are under progress, and will be completed by the end of this month.

To address parking problems in Yelahanka New Town, steps have been taken to provide parking facilities at Yelahanka Bus Stand Road, Sharavathi Hotel Road, Double Road, Doddaballapura Road and near NES.

Hebbal flyover
Besides being a popular landmark, the Hebbal flyover helps in the smooth flow of traffic. The 5.35 km-long flyover, constructed by Bangalore Development Authority at a cost of Rs 65 crore in 2003 (in a record time of two years), has five loops along with a bridge at the grade level, and decongests traffic on National Highway No 7 to a great extent, becoming a boon to motorists.

The Hebbal Lake, on the other hand, has fallen prey to urbanisation and needs immediate restoration activities. Sewage water that accumulates in the lake from surrounding areas has affected its natural cycle, and it badly needs desilting.

Birds disappearing
Asks Rachel a house wife, “The lake, once upon a time, attracted many varieties of birds and also had some vegetation but now it is on the verge of dwindling. What stops the government from taking necessary measures to restore it? As residents we get very upset to see the pathetic state it lies in. We urge the concerned authorities to take measures to improve the lake immediately.”

Yet another fast growing area is Byatarayanapura. In this locality, for the development of parks which come under Division - 23, the appointment of consultants is in its final stages.

A total number of 58 parks coming under both Byatarayanapura and Yelahanka division will be developed by the Palike. In addition to this, a total amount of Rs 35.01 lakh is currently being spent for solid waste management in the zone.


YELAHANKA HISTORY

Yelahanka has a history of more than 500 years. Chieftain Kempegowda who built Bangalore fort and the Yelahanka Town in 1537 AD, transferred his capital from Yelahanka to Bangalore after Bangalore city was built. In the rule of Gangas and Cholas, Yelahanka was called Ilaipakka. By the time Hoysalas came to rule the name changed to Elahakka. As time passed Elahakka was replaced by the existing name Yelahanka.


The Palike is giving attention to upgrade infrastructure in new areas on par with the erstwhile BMP area. Our primary concern is improvement of roads and Rs 10 crore has been released for this. By the end of this financial year, roads will be improved. Besides, the Palike is spending close to Rs 70 crore for other infrastructure facilities.

N Jayaram,
JC (Byatarayanapura), BBMP

Property prices

Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 per square feet for plots

Hebbal Flyover

*Length 5.35 km long

*Total cost Rs 65 crore

*Features Five loops along with a bridge at the grade level

Hebbal lake

Location On Bellary Road

Area Around 150 acre

Maintenance by Lake Development Authority

Byatarayanapura Zone

*Area population 6,27,000
*Number of houses 83,198


"I grew up with greenery in Yelahanka new town. Then it was pleasant. When I came for vacations this time I noticed that many trees on the main road have been cut. I felt bad. The area where I spent my childhood is changing. Fresh air we used to get earlier is now is being polluted because of increase in vehicular movement. In the name of development we are losing the green cover."

Varun N
Student, Sc(Physics), IIT Kharagpur

"Many sites reserved for civic amenities are encroached by powerful politicians. We do not know who is constructing what on the CA sites. Schools which collect huge donations have come on civic amenities sites.

Arun Sharma
former MNC executive

When we came to live in the town, it was one of the best localities in Bangalore. But gradually it changed. Roads have not been asphalted for many years. Parks are becoming parking lots. This is highly disappointing.

N V Ramaswamy,
Engineer ( Retd), Dept of Atomic Energy