<p>Even after seventeen years, residents of HRBR Layout continue to wait for the completion of a public library in their locality.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In 1996, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Department of Libraries entered into an agreement to set up a state-of-the-art public library at HRBR Layout, 2nd Block. <br />The BDA in turn handed over the project to the Panchayat Raj Engineering division of Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat.<br /><br />The construction of the library began only in 2006 and the project was shelved abruptly, leaving the ground floor complete. Now, the structure with just a ground floor in place has become a safe haven for strays, snakes and trouble-makers alike, complain residents of HRBR Layout. <br /><br />Even as engineers with the Panchayat Raj Engineering division blame shortage of funds for stopping the construction, B Govindaraju, chairperson, Standing Committee on Education, BBMP, has assured the residents that the building would be completed soon.<br />A Kodanda Reddy, area corporator, who inspected the premises and the now-defunct structure, six months ago, said all measures would be taken to complete the project. The residents, however, rue that despite assurances and repeated pleas by members of residents’ welfare associations, no action has been taken so far. <br /><br />Jude Rajesh Ferrao, Citizens’ Welfare Association president said: “We have approached our corporator and filed petitions to highlight the problem. But, senior officials have turned a blind eye to the issue.” <br /><br />Kusuma K, a resident of HRBR Layout, said: “In the absence of a public library in our locality, one has to go to a library in Cox Town to read books, magazines and newspapers. The incomplete library building is set against the backdrop of lush green trees. If the project is complete, it will provide a conducive environment for reading.” <br />The incomplete building has turned into a hub of objectionable activities.<br /><br />Students from neighbouring schools and colleges and miscreants sneak in to the building, smoke, play cards and make a lot of noise. “They have become a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Their presence has made it unsafe for women and girls to go past the building in the evenings,” said Kusuma.<br /><br />Law speaks<br /><br />Govindaraju said Rs 99 lakh has been sanctioned for the library work and that they were awaiting the State government’s nod to begin the construction work. According to the Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965, once the State government issues an order for the construction of a public library in a locality, director of Department of Public Libraries has to oversee the construction and running of the library. An official from the Department said the local library authority is not empowered to act unless the State government directs it to go ahead.<br /><br />On completion, the three-storey library will accommodate 30,000 books in vernacular languages, complete with a children’s reading room, a newspaper section, a section for periodicals, office of the chief librarian and, a lift for the benefit of senior citizens and people with disability.</p>
<p>Even after seventeen years, residents of HRBR Layout continue to wait for the completion of a public library in their locality.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In 1996, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Department of Libraries entered into an agreement to set up a state-of-the-art public library at HRBR Layout, 2nd Block. <br />The BDA in turn handed over the project to the Panchayat Raj Engineering division of Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat.<br /><br />The construction of the library began only in 2006 and the project was shelved abruptly, leaving the ground floor complete. Now, the structure with just a ground floor in place has become a safe haven for strays, snakes and trouble-makers alike, complain residents of HRBR Layout. <br /><br />Even as engineers with the Panchayat Raj Engineering division blame shortage of funds for stopping the construction, B Govindaraju, chairperson, Standing Committee on Education, BBMP, has assured the residents that the building would be completed soon.<br />A Kodanda Reddy, area corporator, who inspected the premises and the now-defunct structure, six months ago, said all measures would be taken to complete the project. The residents, however, rue that despite assurances and repeated pleas by members of residents’ welfare associations, no action has been taken so far. <br /><br />Jude Rajesh Ferrao, Citizens’ Welfare Association president said: “We have approached our corporator and filed petitions to highlight the problem. But, senior officials have turned a blind eye to the issue.” <br /><br />Kusuma K, a resident of HRBR Layout, said: “In the absence of a public library in our locality, one has to go to a library in Cox Town to read books, magazines and newspapers. The incomplete library building is set against the backdrop of lush green trees. If the project is complete, it will provide a conducive environment for reading.” <br />The incomplete building has turned into a hub of objectionable activities.<br /><br />Students from neighbouring schools and colleges and miscreants sneak in to the building, smoke, play cards and make a lot of noise. “They have become a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Their presence has made it unsafe for women and girls to go past the building in the evenings,” said Kusuma.<br /><br />Law speaks<br /><br />Govindaraju said Rs 99 lakh has been sanctioned for the library work and that they were awaiting the State government’s nod to begin the construction work. According to the Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965, once the State government issues an order for the construction of a public library in a locality, director of Department of Public Libraries has to oversee the construction and running of the library. An official from the Department said the local library authority is not empowered to act unless the State government directs it to go ahead.<br /><br />On completion, the three-storey library will accommodate 30,000 books in vernacular languages, complete with a children’s reading room, a newspaper section, a section for periodicals, office of the chief librarian and, a lift for the benefit of senior citizens and people with disability.</p>
