Upmarket layout down in the dumps

Upmarket layout down in the dumps
HSR Layout Residents Air Grievances; Demand Action From MLA, Police, BBMP Officials
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Water problems, increasing crime rate, sewage line overflow, stormwater drain blockage, scarcity of public transport, traffic congestion, underdeveloped parks — the list of HSR Layout residents’ woes is unending.
To address their problems, residents of the layout met local MLA Sathish Reddy, the police and BBMP officials on Sunday. Federation of HSR Layout Residents’ Welfare Associations, consisting of welfare associations of the seven sectors, aired their grievances at the meet.
The layout was approved by the BDA under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2015 and several sites were demarcated for development of parks, a sports complex, a community building and other public amenities. But a few changes in the basic plan have aggrieved the residents.
K Narayana Swamy, general secretary of the federation, in his introductory remark at the meet said: “Although according to the layout blueprint, there were sites reserved for playgrounds, a hospital and other public amenities, they plan was recently altered and authorities are trying to give these sites to government agencies. This should be revoked as the residents of the locality need several basic facilities. There is a provision for parks in the original blueprint but a lot of parks are still underdeveloped.’’
He welcomed the government’s decision to defer the Capital Value System (CVS) for assessment of property tax and to set up a committee to submit a report. “The committee should prepare a report considering welfare of the residents,’’ he said.
Elaborating on transport problems of the locality, Narayana Swamy said: “Being a residential locality, there is not adequate mass transportation available. Residents find it difficult to travel to places like Majestic, Jayanagar and Shivajinagar, the major bus stations in the city. We have already approached the transport authorities to look into this but nothing has been done so far.’’
Kariyappa, a resident, said: ‘There are a lot of traffic-related problems and too few traffic policemen manning the locality. A locality as big as ours should have a dedicated traffic official.’’ Other residents raised a barrage of questions about safety and complained about the rising crime rate in the area. Police officer Konappa Reddy assured them and said they will intensify the usual beats to keep crime in check. Adugodi traffic inspector S T Chandrashekhar and Madiwala traffic inspector T Venkatesh were also present on the occasion and assured better traffic management.
MLA Sathish Reddy directed the BBMP and health department officials to take immediate action on provision of basic facilities and assured the residents about the locality’s development as per their demands.