Woes multiplying in this ‘posh’ area

Woes multiplying in this ‘posh’ area


A view of the National College junction in Jayanagar.
Monica Jha
First Published : 09 Dec 2008 05:06:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 09 Dec 2008 10:04:57 AM IST

BANGALORE: The predominantly Kannada speaking population is educated upper middle class. The initial population mostly of government officials, now also has a good number of IT professionals. The ward houses many educational institutions including the famous Vijaya College and National College, besides several temples including Pattabhirama temple and Raghavendra Mutt. The ward is a thriving cultural hub and has a government community hall called Sanathana Kalakshetra, three government libraries and an art gallery. Jayanagar has a number of parks too. The ward does not report any major or regular crime other than occasional chain snatchings in parks.

Ward woes

* Being one of the oldest areas of the city, it has brought some disadvantages to Jayanagar ward. The roads are narrow, water and sewerage lines are old and corroded and parks cry for a facelift.

* Jayanagar faces severe traffic congestion due to narrow roads and heavy residential and commercial development.

* The ward connects the newly developed southern parts to the rest of the city, which adds extra traffic on its roads.

* Chaotic traffic is worsened by haphazard parking and unauthorised vendors occupying pavements, resulting in frequent accidents.

* The ward gets satisfactory supply of Cauvery water. Hhowever, other civic problems in the so-called posh ward are no different from those in other areas.

* Underground drainage system is poor and garbage clearance is irregular.

Key requirements

* Traffic signals at major intersections like the junction of 36th cross and 26th main and the junction of 32nd cross and 26th main.

* Traffic diversion from narrow to wider roads l Road humps in residential areas.

* Maintenance of parks including the one on 28th main behind BBMP ward office and Vishranthi Vana opposite Sudarshan Vidya Mandir.

Elected representative speak

MLA B N Vijaya Kumar said: “A peculiar problem of Jayanagar is that the water and sanitary lines were laid some 50 years ago. They need to be replaced with pipes of bigger dimensions now. Asphalting of roads and upgradation of Shalini Ground in Jayanagar 5th Block would also be taken up. We are also contemplating to set up an e-library for poor students and constructing toilets at all major parks in the area.”

Look forward to:

* Block-wise replacement of old sanitary and water lines. Work to be taken up next month

* Construction of storm water drains from Jayanagar ward to JP Nagar and at Gurappana Palya ward