Shantinagar in shambles

Shantinagar in shambles
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU







Article Rank










[Click To Enlarge]
Richmond Town ward in Shantinagar may have earned laurels for being the highest property tax paying locality, but the infrastructure here does not match its reputation.

Residents are upset with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), for the shoddy infrastructure. Potholed and untarred, the roads here are not motorable, garbage is not collected regularly and the area lacks proper drains.

Executive committee member of Citizen Welfare Association of Richmond Town and Langford Town M.R. Shirazi said members of the association have written several letters to BBMP to fill the crater sized potholes and tar the roads. But their pleas have gone unheard, he said.

“About three months ago, some of the roads in Shantinagar were asphalted. But, the contractors in connivance with BBMP authorities did a shoddy job,” Mr Shirazi said.

When questioned about the sub-standard quality of work, the contractor threatened to stop the work, he said. Richmond Town ward pays a whopping Rs 40 crore as property tax per annum to BBMP. Despite getting so much revenue, the ward has been completely neglected by the civic authority, say the residents.

After repeated complaints to the engineers concerned, Eagle Street, Moyen Ville Road, Ollef Road, Langford Road 2nd cross, the roads were asphalted. But, it was not done as per BBMP specifications and the roads are already showing wear and tear, Mr Shirazi said.

“After repeated complaints, BBMP sent notices to the contractors to commence work. I have taken photographs of the shoddy work and given them to BBMP officials. It is not just the delay, the entire tender process has been violated. At least seven roads identi fied for asphalting such as Norris Road, Alexandria Street, Myrtle Lane, Serpentine Street, Kingston Road, Albert and King Streets should be asphalted as per specifications for longer life,” he said.

BBMP chief engineer (East) Ananthaswamy told Deccan Chronicle that projects worth nearly Rs 7 crore have been planned for the area and the tender process has been completed for projects worth Rs 1 crore.

About 60 per cent progress on the proposed projects is expected by the end of December and by the end of March most roads in the area will be asphalted, he added.