JOIN USResidents extract promise of action at Malleswaram meet
For a constituency that has a number of commercial establishments and residential complexes, the problems were plenty. Traffic woes and encroachment of footpaths were prominent issues that were raised in the Citizens for Change event that was held in the City on Saturday.
The Deccan Herald-Prajavani event, Citizens for Change, held at the Malleswaram Assembly Constituency, helped people bring their grievances to the notice of their local leaders after getting no relief from officials.
From traffic congestion, vendors occupying footpaths, to lake maintenance and poor condition of roads, corporators from Aramane Nagar, Mathikere, Malleswaram, Guttahalli, Kadu Malleshwara, Subramanyanagar and Gayathrinagar, besides Malleswaram MLA Dr C Ashwath Narayan, had several questions to answer.
Urinating in the open, garbage dumps, irregular collection of garbage, residential complexes illegally converted into commercial establishments and encroachment of public utility spaces were among the other concerns. In parts of Malleswaram, poor condition of roads was attributed to the BWSSB’s ongoing work of replacing pipes.
Traffic issues
Peak hour traffic, bottlenecks, haphazard parking are issues that residents unanimously said had to be addressed at the earliest. Residents of areas around Malleswaram 6th, 7th, 13th, and 15th Cross roads urged the traffic police to post more men to decongest the area during peak hours.
Andal Sharma, a resident of Malleswaram 7th Cross said with parking being permitted along the stretch, pedestrians find it tough to walk. “Those coming to commercial complexes, park their vehicles here. The residents’ plight is pitiable,” she added.
Sadashivnagar Walker’s Association had a similar request. They sought a pedestrian crossing and signals be installed at the entrance and exit of Sankey Tank.
Addressing the issues, traffic inspector B T Nagraj, said home guards have been deployed to manage peak hour traffic. He also said free left turns would be cancelled if required at junctions like 18th Cross.
Footpath
Housing a popular vegetable market and a shopping street, 8th Cross, with its vendors illegally occupying the footpath was also brought to the attention of leaders. With the flower market in Malleswaram demolished recently for the construction of a complex, vendors have poured on to the street.
Sreesh Babu, one of the residents complained that bus shelters at 10th Cross had now turned into a make-shift flower shops. Even in Mathikere ward, with vendors occupying the pavement, pedestrians have been forced to use the road.
Public transport
Last mile connectivity, Mathikere residents said, was missing in their ward. Though may buses serve the area, residents have to walk an extra mile for buses as many parts of the area are not connected by buses, they complained.
Responding to the issue, Mathikere corporator Jayaprakash said this was because the BMTC had scrapped mini buses. “Earlier, last mile connectivity was not an issue. We have had discussions with BMTC officials in this regard,” he added.