KNOW YOUR CONSTITUENCY
BANGALORE SOUTH
In the urban context, Bangalore South has become synonymous with development and real estate highs, thanks to the city’s much-prized Information Technology pockets that dot the region. As a new assembly constituency, though, Bangalore South doesn’t quite spell development. Comprising the Uttarahalli, Begur and Jigani hoblis, apart from some parts of former Rajarajeshwari Nagar City Municipal Corporation (CMC), the constituency is B a n g a l o re ’s biggest in terms of the number of voters (3.74 lakh).
Uttarahalli hobli, which falls within the new cons t i t u e n cy, houses Anjanapura, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)’s residential layout. The hobli has its share of private layouts that have come under the scanner over their legitimacy. The encroachment of forest land in Turahalli, that falls within the hobli, had also been indicative of how critical an issue land encroachment has become in these parts of Bangalore.
Areas like Konanakunte have been covered by the joint legislative committee on encroachment of government land, headed by A T Ramaswamy. Gottigere lake, a prominent landmark in Uttarahalli hobli, was in the news over the row in alignment of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC).
While land is indeed prized in these areas, the infrastructure to match is something that hasn’t surfaced yet. The BDA layout itself continues to be in the news over the reported lack of amenities. Roads in residential localities of the hobli have also been neglected.
Begur hobli, which houses areas like Mylasandra, Kammanahalli and Parappana Agrahara, has a mix of fastdeveloping and underdeveloped pockets. Vast stretches of land in villages like Doddatogur, Chikkatogur and Basapura have started catching the fancy of developers. However, encroachment of land has been an issue in these parts of the constituency as well. Areas like Konappana Agrahara have also been hit by scarcity of water.
Jigani hobli constitutes a major portion of Bangalore South constituency. The hobli has vast stretches of industrial areas as well as a good share of green cover. While the industrial areas in Jigani — that boasts of the presence of some big players across segments — have seen planned development over the years, it has not really spilled over to the surrounding villages.
Interestingly, as the real estate boom in the core Bangalore areas runs on extended time, industrial areas like Jigani have found favour with residential property developers as well as investors. Investment in property, from barren stretches of land to fancy villas, is very much a trend in Jigani these days, with development focused around the core areas of the hobli.
Bannerghatta, that houses the most prominent landmark of the new consituency — the Bannerghatta National Park — is part of Jigani hobli. Attracting thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad, the national park accounts for a good chunk of green cover.
ELECTORAL REGISTRATION
OFFICE
Assistant Commissioner, Bangalore South Sub Division, Kids Kemp Building, Kempagowda Road
• 22372042 Major areas
Vaddarapalya, Thippasandra, Anjanapura, Kammanahalli, Mylasandra, Konappana Agrahara, Vaderahalli, Yelenahalli, Doddatogur, Hulimangala, Shivanahalli
Landmarks
Bannerghatta National Park, Parappana Agrahara prison, Anjanapura Layout, Gottigere lake
PROBLEMS Earlier
Neglected road works, inadequate connectivity
Now
Water issues, land encroachment, development mismatches
Total voter population
3,74,720
Male 2,01,115
Female 1,73,605 YESHWANTPUR
Yeshwantpur constituency comprises the four hoblis of Yeshwantpur, Tavarekere, Kengeri and Uttarahalli, apart from the former town municipal corporation (TMC) of Kengeri. The former city municipal corporation (CMC) of Rajarajeshwari Nagar is also covered under the constituency.
Yeshwantpur has been one of north Bangalore’s most prominent areas, with a mix of residential and industrial activity. While identified with the many industrial units that have come up around the area, Yeshwantpur
has also doubled up as a chosen
residential location for those
wo rk i n g
in the industrial s u bu r b s. E m p l oy - ees of ind u s t r i a l units in Peenya industrial area have settled down in these areas in large numbers.
However,
the huge surge in population over the last decade has badly hit the locality’s infrastructure. The densely-populated pockets are a complete departure from the old, unhurried Yeshwantpur, point out old residents of these areas. The rise in population has translated into a flurry of unorganised marketplaces, leaving an impact on the traffic and roads. Movement to and from the busy Yeshwantpur railway station has also left a mark on traffic patterns in many areas of the constituency.
Land is becoming increasingly coveted, as reflected in the groundwork on layouts in underdeveloped areas. Some parts of Yeshwantpur hobli, like Manganahalli, have been affected by land encroachment. Meanwhile, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)’s five proposed layouts — with a component of housing for the economically weaker sections — are also set to cover pockets in the hobli, like Manganahalli, Kodigehalli and Kannahalli.
Areas under Yeshwantpur hobli constitute a small chunk of the constituency, while it’s the Tavarekere and Kengeri hoblis
that form the larger
portions. The former Kengeri TMC is dotted by educational institutions and has a good share of resident student population. The Kengeri satellite town is a prominent residential and commercial hub in the constituency. Civic amenities have been a casualty in some parts of Kengeri and its proximity to Mysore Road has also led to a rise in vehicular movement cutting through the town. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)’s proposed elevated corridor from Sirsi Circle to Kengeri is one project that could make a positive difference to the traffic situation in and around Kengeri.
In Kengeri hobli, areas like Kumbalagodu have witnessed a rise in commercial activity, while large parts of the hobli, including Hampapura, Thippur and Singehalli continue to stand in contrast to their ‘Bangalore Urban’ tag. The situation is not quite different in many pockets under Tavarekere hobli either. Areas like Madapatna, Kurubarapalya and Byalalu have remained largely untouched by the development that Bangalore has witnessed.
Many parts of the constituency, while showing no signs of major urbanisation, have attracted educational groups and institutions. The nursing colleges that have come up in areas like Sunkadakatte stand testimony to the trend. With more than 2.6 lakh voters, Yeshwantpur has one of the larger electorates among the seven constituencies under Bangalore Urban district.
ELECTORAL REGISTRATION
OFFICE
Assistant Commissioner, Sub Division, VV Tower, Podium Block, Dr Ambedkar Veedhi
• 22869011 Major areas
Harohalli, Ullalu, Kurubarahalli, Yelachaguppe, Peddanapalya, Sulikere, Hampapura, Somapura, Kaggalipura, Tharalu, Sunkadakatte
Landmarks
Kengeri satellite town, Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Kengeri Junior College, Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust
PROBLEMS Earlier
Access to water, battered roads, mix of residential and commercial areas
Now
Land encroachment, traffic bottlenecks in town areas, largely underdeveloped hoblis
Total voter population
2,62,886 Male 1,37,557 Female 1,25,329
Bannerghatta National Park
Uttarahalli Doraikere Lake
