Posh BTM Layout too has its share of civic woes

Well-planned layouts, beautiful houses, tree canopies, wide roads, prominent food joints, parks and playgrounds and the area’s proximity to the Electronics City mark the identity of the Bannerghatta-Tavarekere-Madiwala (BTM) Layout.

The area, by and large, is well-developed, compared with many other areas in the City. But the layout, represented in Assembly by State Transport Minister and District In-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy, too, has its share of civic woes, which was evident during the Janaspandana programme organised by Deccan Herald-Prajavani.

Venkataramanappa, a resident of the layout, set the ball rolling by drawing the attention of the officials concerned to inadequate and irregular Cauvery water supply in the 10th Main of the layout. A Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officer assured the aggrieved person that the problem would be rectified in two days.

Mallikarjun, another resident, complained about the lack of BMTC bus service from the layout to KR Market and Shivajinagar. In response, a BMTC official said the corporation had placed an order for additional buses. Once the buses join the fleet, steps would be taken to start the services in the said routes. As an ad hoc measure, he would convey their request to his higher-ups.

Ashok Kumar of Spandana Residents’ Welfare Association, complained that the heavy vehicular movement on the stretch between Jayadeva Hospital and Central Silk Board Junction made it tough for pedestrians, especially the children and elderly people, to cross the road. An Esteem Mall-like incident is waiting to happen here. In reply, a traffic sub-inspector assured people that he would ensure pedestrian safety by deploying more personnel there during the peak hours.

Other residents complained that heavy vehicles from the Silk Board Junction take deviation and drive on the roads in the residential areas.

During the interaction, William Prathap, a resident, said the fast-food joints on the main road were creating problems for pedestrians. The food joints are encouraging unauthorised parking on the roads and pavements, making it impossible for the pedestrians to walk, he said. While N Ramamurthy complained about the garbage problem in the area, Gopalakrishnan rued water scarcity in Paradigm Heights apartments.

Another resident, Rajagopal, complained about the stray dog menace in BTM Layout, while Sridevi drew the attention of the authorities to the issue of streetlights burning in the day. Kamalamma, a resident of 1st Main, said the drains in her area were blocked, as the sanitary pipeline was old and worn out. She requested the BWSSB officials to take up the issue at the earliest.

There were also complaints from residents about the street dog menace, to which the officials from BBMP Animal Husbandry department said they were helpless and could do nothing more than taking up sterilisation programmes.

Suresh, an official from BBMP, said, “We cannot shift the dogs somewhere else. We can just sterilise and implement Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes as per the Supreme Court rules.”

A few residents complained about rain-related woes, including tree falls and precariously inclining electricity poles. The BBMP and Bescom officers took note of the problem and said they would attend to the rain-related woes soon.

Save Madiwala lake

A residents’ welfare association urged the authorities to protect the Madiwala lake, which is on the verge of death. “A few years ago, the lake was spread over 200 acres, but now, the government records show that it has shrunk considerably. The extent of the lake today measures just 100 acres. A few years back, slums had come up, but now, they have been replaced by the multi-storey apartments. The stormwater drain of the lake has also been encroached upon, leading to  inundation of houses in low-lying areas.
 Citizens’ woes and officials’ response More than 10 houses in our lane as well as in the neighbouring roads are not receiving Cauvery water and the supply is very irregular. The BWSSB officials are not responding to our queries.

Venkataramanappa, resident of BTM Layout 10th Main

The water supply has been affected in the last few days due to summer. Efforts will be made to ensure residents are not affected anymore.

Ashok Gowda, BWSSB assistant executive engineer

There is an increased vehicular movement and traffic jams along the stretch from Jayadeva Hospital to Central Silk Board. The vehicles, instead of plying on main roads, end up using the inner roads of residential layouts.

Ashok Kumar, Spandana Nagarika Vedike member, BTM 2nd Stage

There is a shortage of staff to monitor the traffic flow. However, we are still trying our best to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Thiparegowda, police inspector, Mico Layout Traffic Police Station On 29th Main, there is an autorickshaw stand, but it is of no use as rickshaw drivers refuse to ply us. Working women, especially, are facing problems because of this. Even the police constables refuse to help us.

Rani Prafulla Jain, resident, 29th Main, BTM Layout

Residents having problems related to auto drivers can lodge complaints at 080 25588444/ 25588555. I will direct my staff to look into the issue.

Thiparegowda, police inspector, Mico Layout Traffic Police Station  The SFHS Park, adjacent to BWSSB water tank and opposite MR row houses, is not being maintained properly. Leaf litter are piled up in the middle of the park, which is spoiling its landscape.

S N Sondur, resident, SFHS Layout

There are a total of 11 parks in our ward. While the parks are being developed, there has been a shortage of funds for the maintenance works like watering, picking up the leaf litter, among others. The civic agency has floated a tender for park maintenance and once the money is released, we will take action.

G N R Babu, former councillor, BTM Layout.
 There is a shortage of water supply at 1st, 2nd, 3rd , 4th and 5th Cross. Also, the garbage is not collected properly and sometimes, sweepers clean the roads but leave the waste in a corner.

Rukmani, resident, NS Palya

I will check the place on Monday and take required action. But there has been minimum complaints on garbage management. A few residents dispose of waste unscientifically.

N Jagganath, BBMP executive engineer