Residents get a chance to pour out their woes

Residents get a chance to pour out their woes
The litany of complaints voiced out included garbage woes, absence of hospital facilities, lack of bus facilities, fluctuating voltage, potholed roads and even bribery charges against government officials.


The pathetic state of sanitation facilities and non-supply of drinking water have hit the people of Bommanahalli constituency really hard. No wonder, complaints related to these two aspects figured in the grievances aired by most of the participants during the Janaspandana programme, organised by Deccan Herald and Prajavani here on Saturday.

A steady stream of people began trickling into the Mico Layout playground at Arakere right from 8.45 am Despite the scorching heat during the day, footfalls continued till the event wound up by 3 pm. There was a heavy turnout of resident associations and MLA Satish Reddy was flooded with applications listing the problems of the area.

The litany of complaints voiced out included garbage woes, absence of hospital facilities, lack of bus facilities, fluctuating voltage, potholed roads and even bribery charges against government officials. However, the official who really faced the music was the representative from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Additional Chief Engineer of Bommanahalli V Mahesh.

He literally had to keep standing throughout as public ire spilled over regarding water and sanitary issues. Absence of drinking water despite payment of connection charges, wrongly water bills, mixing of sewage water with drinking water, overflowing drains and the total absence of drains were repeatedly mentioned by emotional participants.

A different complaint was voiced out by Hari Rao of Moin Manor Apartments in Venkatadhiri Layout. Narrating his experience at the BBMP office at Arikere last week, Rao said, “The revenue branch there demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from me if I wanted a katha certificate.” Due to this kind of corruption taking place, those residing in neighbouring apartments have not dared to approach the office to obtain their certificates.

Solutions

The BWSSB representative listed out the ongoing works in the area to redress the woes. Under the Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project, six Underground Drainage Packages, at a cost of Rs 261 crore, was the long-term solution worked out to solve sanitation problems. “Tendering is already completed in three of them and work will begin by April,” he assured. An additonal 110 borewells will be drilled shortly to redress drinking water woes, he added.

With a tremendous turnout, comperes Jayashree Shekar and Sridhar Sharma did kept the crowd under check. The support rendered to the organisers by ex-councillor A N Murali and Purushotham and the Arekere Mico Layout First Stage Welfare Association also deserve mention.

MLA speak

The six wards of Bommanahalli are set to have a major facelift shortly with a total sum of Rs 36 crore earmarked for development works in the constituency, said MLA Satish Reddy.

Rs six crore will be spent on the following wards: HRSR Layout, Bommanahalli, Jaraganahalli, Hulimavu, Bilekahalli and Channakeshavanagar. “One crore will be spent for putting in place door-to-door garbage collection facility. The rest will be spent for providing drinking water, sanitation facilities, health centres, schools, parks, hospitals and road widening work in each ward,” said the BJP legislator.
“Lack of drinking water supply is the biggest problem in my constituency,” Reddy said. On steps taken to tackle it, the MLA said that 110 borewells will be dug in the constituency after February 15. Of the existing 110 borewells, only 80 were functioning properly, he added.

Steps are being taken to recycle water from the Agara lake and Begur lake and use them for potable purposes, Reddy added. He also said that he would persuade the chief minister to extend the Metro Rail project up to Bommanahalli.

IN BRIEF


Almost 90% of the Arikere lake is covered with silt for the last five years resulting in stench around the area. This needs to be redressed urgently. The Lake Development Authority is not even present to hear our grievances.
Ramakrishna,

President, Sahitya Niketan Resident Welfare Association

The first, second and fourth cross in our layout have sanitary connections. I reside in the third cross where unfortunately only half the stretch has sanitation facility. Garbage is constantly dumped in a corner in my cross.
Sudha,

Canara Bank employee, Venkatadhiri Layout

We do not get proper drinking water supply and drainage facilities are very poor despite regular payment of development charges. Every three months, drains get choked and we have to pay the BWSSB a sum to clear it. Why should we keep on paying even after paying the development charges.

Sridhar Hegde, resident of Awami Sringeri Nagar

There are no humps in the fourth main of Brindavan layout. Nearly ten accidents have taken place in the last six months due to rash driving by youngsters. A senior citizen lost a leg recently. We also need direct bus facilities linking Mico Layout M S Ramaiah Hospital and BEL.

Sarojamma, Accounts Assistant, ISRO

Garbage is being dumped on the roads in Doraisamypalaya in Bilekanahalli. Sewage water flows into stormwater drains and overflows onto the streets often. Patients are not able to park their vehicles due to the stench that emanates from the sewage. Constant voltage fluctuations is another problem.

Dr Parimala, Parimala Hospital

Really cynical

People in Bommanahalli Constituency have clearly become a cynical lot. This incident can serve as a sampler to that. A common answer by many officials to uncomfortable civic problems expressed by the public was: “The problem will be set right soon. Contact me on this mobile number in future.” After hearing this answer repeatedly, a few members in the audience started jocularly chanting this line everytime someone raised a problem. One member in the audience commented aloud: The numbers they are giving out so openly may not be the correct ones. To this another retorted: The numbers might be correct but the mobile will be switched off always.

Gentleman on Song

Problems rained down heavily on Bommanahalli MLA and officials midway during the Janaspandana programme creating a sombre mood around. When a senior citizen, H S Seetharam from Kodi Chikkanahalli, took the mike to speak, one expected nothing other than a litany of woes. However, he provided the much needed comic relief for the gathering by suddenly breaking into a song on Janaspandana by lauding `Deccan Herald’ and `Prajavani’. Most in the crowd could not help breaking into a spontaneous smile at the enthusiasm he displayed for his age.

Phone numbers of Bommanahalli officials

If you live in Bommanahalli constituency, these are the officials you need to get in touch with to redress your civic woes:

Satish Reddy, MLA: 9448051616
B S Shekarappa, Joint Commissioner, BBMP: 9739222007
Ramakrishna, Deputy Commissioner, BBMP: 9449983616
Krishna Murthy B, Superintending Engineer, BBMP: 9739012303
Narasimha Babu, Additional Executive Engineer, BBMP: 9739012321
L L Ramesh, Executive Engineer (Projects), BBMP: 9886359622
V Srinivasa Murthy, Executive Engineer, BBMP: 9900134955
Mahesh, Additional Chief Engineer, BWSSB: 9845444004
G Shashidhar, Executive Engineer (South), BWSSB: 9845444020
B Krishnappa, Executive Engineer, BESCOM: 9449844613
Rajashekar, Executive Engineer (East), BDA: 9880730449
A B Sudhakar, Circle Inspector: 9448261778
Manjunath, Tahsildhar: 9731090000
Aslam Ahmed, Women and Child Development: 9342873727
Rizwan Baig, Assistant Executive Engineer, BDA: 9880730046