Residents seek end to woes in Bommanahalli constituency

Pose tough questions to leaders, officials at DH&PV Citizens for Change event

Narrow roads and frequent traffic jams are among the major problems faced by the electorate of the Bommanahalli Assembly constituency. The problem is acute on Bannerghatta Road and at the Central Silk Board junction.

The pathetic traffic situation in the constituency was highlighted at the 'Citizens for Change' programme, organised by Deccan Herald and its sister publication Prajavani on Saturday. A large number of people turned up to air their grievances during the event.

Raising the matter, Dr Rajesh of HSR Layout emphasised on remodelling the Silk Board Junction. He suggested developing a loop to ease traffic congestion. Another resident Muniraju stressed on widening Bannerghatta Road.

In his reply, joint commissioner of Bommanahalli zone, Muniraju said widening of Bannerghatta Road was on the cards and 458 buildings were identified for acquisition. He said the BBMP planned to hand over transferable developmental rights (TDR) to owners but is waiting for the government to decide on the proposal to increase TDR from 1.5 times the property value to 2.5 times.

“The detailed project report for widening Bannerghatta Road is ready. The government has to take a decision regarding the TDR,” said Muniraju.

Elaborating, Bommanahalli BJP MLA Sathish Reddy said six roads have been identified in the first phase. “The decision on increasing TDR has to be taken at the Cabinet meeting. Increasing TDR will help in widening many roads. Widening the road from Begur to Bommanahalli and to Bannerghatta Road is a necessity,” Reddy said.

During the programme, residents highlighted the pathetic condition of roads, lack of streetlights, voltage fluctuation, encroachment of footpaths, stray pigs and dogs, poor waste management, overflowing sewage, deteriorating law and order situation, poor maintenance of lakes and stormwater drains and encroachment of parks and playgrounds.

HSR Layout resident B V Subba Rao expressed anguish over the pothole ridden roads in his locality. He said roads have not been asphalted for the last eight years due to which loose gravel on the surface makes driving difficult.

In his reply, MLA Reddy said that since roads will have to be dug up for Bengaluru’s first piped gas network at HSR Layout, asphalting roads now would be a waste.

M S Rajashekhar from Bommanahalli ward pointed out that parks and playgrounds are badly maintained. He said many parks do not have lights because the BBMP has not paid the electricity bill of Rs 24,000. He rued the rampant encroachment of stormwater drains.

Mala Kashinath from Mico Layout complained that the police had changed a complaint from “chain snatching” to “missing of gold chain”.

“The complaint was specific. A week ago, some chain snatchers robbed a woman of her gold chain in our neighbourhood. She lodged a complaint with the police but to our shock and dismay, the police recorded it as an incident of 'missing of gold chain'. Security of women has taken a beating in our area,” she pointed out.

Admitting to the mistake, the inspector of Mico Layout police station said he will look into the matter and make the changes in the police records.

Mohan Kumar from Mangammanapalya complained about the open sale of ganja in his area while Sunil Kumar from Jaraganahalli highlighted the activities of anti-social elements in his ward. There were complaints about the increasing use of loudspeakers beyond 10 pm in violation of the Supreme Court order.