An agenda already in the works

An agenda already in the works
We Know She Will Take The Lead In Finding Answers, Says Resident
Residents of Koramangala didn’t need to pause. Within days of being elected, their new corporator got them into a huddle and chalked out an action plan. Happy with this inclusive approach, they plan to brainstorm once a month
Aarthi R | TNN


The new council for Bangalore is yet to be formed. But residents and the newly elected lady corporator of Koramangala have already formed their own little KUCC — the Koramangala United Citizen’s Council. Their agenda: meet, plan, prioritize ward issues and implement the action plan together. This includes finding answers to the perennial issues in their area.
“As residents, we’ll give her our list of priorities and she will take the lead to find answers. We do understand, not everything vests with the corporator. But she is the first person to represent us at the ward level,’’ explains Maj.(retd) Pramod Kapur, a KUCC member.
After a detailed discussion involving the corporator and KUCC members, an action plan was drawn up. Topping the list are garbage dumps by the roadside and parks, encroachments, poor roads and traffic congestion. “Every month, the council will meet to not just discuss but also audit the progress of works,’’ said another member.
Vatsala Dhananjay, a resident of Koramangala for 15 years, said: “Our intention is to cooperate for change. The funds for Koramangala should be spent properly without any leakage. And the council has been formed not just for the elite and educated but also for the slums. We are all in it together.’’
WHO IS SHE?
B N Kokila Radhakrishna, 49, is the wife of a political worker. Earlier, she was the zilla panchayat member in Kolar since December 2005. However, she gave up the last few months of her term to win the votes of the people of Koramangala. She has been staying in Koramangala for the past 15 years.
She’s been in the news for the wrong reasons — rumours of her name being on both the voter lists of Kolar and Koramangala have been doing the rounds and the issue has even taken to court. But she is not thinking about that now. “I know I have followed the rules and have proof of it. I believe in the judiciary and my family supports me,’’ she says.
Realizing there’s a large number of techies in her ward, she’s working on becoming tech savvy and her son is helping her in this. She’s not from the ruling party yet she’s confident of being heard as the MLA of her constituency, Ramalinga Reddy, is also from the same party.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY: “She is the leader of our ward and we are here to lead her together and find answers to our area problems’’ - KUCC
PROBLEM AREAS: Solid waste management, poster menace, health issues, encroachments, posters, voter list, road conditions
KORAMANGALA WILL
TURN MODEL WARD
What are your main observations about the ward?
There are both positives and negatives. The proactive residents are the biggest asset. However, the main challenges are tackling the garbage menace and clearing the encroachments. There are so many problems.
What change can the people of Koramangala expect?
I have just started. But they can be assured I’ll definitely take up the issues. Together, we will ensure that Koramangala becomes a lot of cleaner and a model ward for the city.
What’s your main action plan and how will you go about it?
I have already met most of the residents and associations. We have also started work on clearing garbage dumps. Further, the KUCC will be a monthly forum for us to meet and discuss. We have already listed a few requirements. I plan to regularly meet with people during their early morning walks as well.
What’s your vision for Koramangala?
To make it a lot cleaner place. The way it was 15 years ago.
CONTACT POINT
Are you a resident of Koramangala? Do you have a problem in your area? Need your corporator’s help? Call: 080-25534123/ 9740214741 Email: reachus@kokila151.in Website: http://www.kokila151.in
Assembly Constituency: BTM Layout
Area: 3.71 sq km
Localities:
Koramangala 6th Block, KHB Block, Kathali Palya, Koramangala 4th B Block, Koramangala 5th and 5th A Block, KHB Colony, John Nagar, Nirmala Block, Mestri Palya, Koramangala 3rd Block, Jakkasandra Block, Koramangala 1st and 1st A Blocks, SBI Colony, Koramangala 2nd Block, Koramangala 8th Block and Kormangala Village and K R Garden
POPULATION
Total: 35,359 Male: 18,434 Female: 16,925