Hebbal: A mixed bag

Hebbal: A mixed bag
G Manjusainath and Poornima Nataraj
The fourth installment of the interactive, comprehensive CITISENSE series throws light on Hebbal constituency. Post-Janaspandana and the numerous development works initiated here, it appears as if better days are ahead for the constituency.

Undoubtedly, Hebbal constituency is one place that is bursting with development work. The most visible signs of it are in the area of water. Aspects that are crying for improvement are the bad shape of its roads, encroachments, stray dog menace and uncleared garbage.

While many parts of Bangalore are gripped by water shortage, the problem appears to be decreasing in Hebbal with every passing day. To improve water supply, mammoth pipelines which have a bigger diameter than the existing ones, have been laid in the area. No doubt the residents sound quite optimistic about receiving sufficient water this summer. The Visvesvaraya Layout Residents’ Welfare Association is one such group.

Vidyadhar, a member, said, “Looking at the pipe-laying work, we can say that some serious efforts are being made to solve the water scarcity here.” He added that he was witnessing such development after several years here. “The laying of culverts and the quality of the work done is also quite impressive,” the member adds.
The encroachment of the lung space in Hebbal area and alleged apathy of officials towards the issue is a sore point with many. The huge playground, located at the entrance of the Layout, has been transformed into an eaters zone, thanks to the vendors coolly hawking their wares here. It also doubles up as a hang-out for drunkards. During nights, it serves as a parking lot for trucks and other heavy vehicles.


“For the last ten years, we are struggling to develop this playground. Encroachment has restricted the area available for sports activities. Our constant appeals are falling on deaf ears,” complained Sampath Kumar, an association member.

Another space meant to serve as a park has become a playground for five schools. Residents lamented that their kids were not getting space to play. “We don’t have a proper playground and park. The park has been made an exclusive playground for private schools. Our children do not get space there to play at all,” complained Chetan Kumar. Three lads from R T Nagar, Shashi, Ramesh and Sathya, demanded that this space, demarcated for the purpose of a park should only be used as a park. What is equally shocking is that the encroachers of the park have even attempted to delete the word ‘Udyanavana’ written in Kannada.

The dissatisfied lot includes Ganeshappa of Gangamma Layout, who spews venom when queried about the ongoing works. He alleged that not a single work had been carried out in the area.

“The status of underground drains is pathetic, roads are in bad shape and stormwater drains are either not in place or are fully choked.”

He charged that despite paying betterment charges, nothing better has happened in the Layout. "We have space for public places but nothing has been done. Instead, some temples have come up there," he added.
Stray dogs abound and the residents dread stepping out of homes at nights. Many complained bitterly about uncleared garbage.

M I N I S T E R S P E A K S


Hebbal constituency is clearly unique. Agenda for Hebbal Development (AHEAD), the first such welfare measure of its kind in any constituency through which the residents of the locality can solve their problems on their own has been initiated here recently. Poornima Nataraj of Deccan Herald caught up with MLA Katta Subramanya Naidu, who is also the BWSSB, IT/BT and Excise Minister. Excerpts...

On the possibility of fencing the HMT Grounds due to the menace posed by hawkers and drunkards...

We are working on it but it is a long-term project. Tenders have been called and will be opened in the first week of February, it will take another three months to safeguard HMT grounds.

On usage of land as playground meant for park on Civic Amenity site No. 5...

I am aware of it. The issue has reached the High court too. The problem is that the public there are divided on the issue; a section wants a play ground there whereas another wants a park. People have to arrive at a consensus and then approach the authorities.

On the pending asphalting work on roads in the area....

Tenders have been called and asphalting of roads would start very soon in all major roads of Hebbal. Asphalting of other roads too would be undertaken shortly.

On water woes in Hebbal...

Most of the water problems in Hebbal constituency have been solved. You can see the difference in Sultanpalya, Kempanna Layout and V Nagenahalli.

On concreting roads and creating stormwater drains...

Road works, especially concreting, have been taken up by BDA under the MLA fund. In many places stormwater drains have been built and we are planning to construct more in future.

On plans regarding the next AHEAD programme in Hebbal...

The last week of February will witness another AHEAD meeting.

P E O P L E S P E A K

HMT Ground is located right in front of Congress leader R V Deshpande’s house. When we asked him about evacuating hawkers from the ground’s premises, he turned a blind eye to the problem by asking us, “Where are the hawkers?"

T Vidyadhar, - Member,
Visvesvaraiah
Nagar Welfare
Association

The civic amenity site No. 5 meant for a park has been converted into a playground by a school which lies in the middle of a residential locality. We have approached numerous officials to create a park on this site in HMT Layout but our efforts are in vain.

A T Krishnamurthy
- President, Visvesvaraiah
Nagar Welfare
Association

Not a single road in Gangamma Layout is asphalted. We have been waiting for 13 years for the betterment of these roads. The work did start but was left undone and now it has to be started right from the beginning and the cost would also go up.

S Ganeshappa
- Resident, Gangamma
Layout, Guddahalli

The only positive work which has happened after Janaspandana is the laying of good quality culverts. This was much needed at HMT Layout. I have not seen other development work here and am still waiting to see them take place here.

Sampath Kumar
- Resident,
HMT Layout