Where residents extracted a vow that their woes would be addressed

The stench emanating from broken sanitary pipes, uncleared garbage and terrible condition of roads were prominent issues raised at the Citizens for Change event organised by Deccan Herald and Prajavani on Saturday. People from Rajarajeshwarinagar Assembly constituency felt that the issues need to be addressed at the earliest.

A few people had approached the officials concerned with their grievances, but they fell on deaf ears, the residents said. There was no room for escapism. Officials were held answerable to every question that the residents raised. The event, which was organised near Chowdeshwari bus stop in JP Park area, Mattikere, saw a huge turnout.

Residents could speak to their corporators and MLA Munirathna Naidu about issues that were unresolved for months. Naidu arrived at the venue an hour late, but he gave a patient hearing to the grievances.

The people talked about several problems ranging from broken sanitary pipes, non-motorable roads and irregular water supply. Naidu assured them that they would be addressed within 15 days. Corporator from HMT Layout ward (number 38) Asha Suresh was the only invitee who did not attend the event.

HMT Layout is home to several apartment complexes. Even as residents promptly segregate waste, they complained that it was not being collected on a regular basis. While wet waste was collected everyday, dry waste remained in front of their houses for weeks together, leading to a foul smell. At Venkatamma Ramaiah Layout near JP Park, garbage collection is not a regular affair. In front of Kalabhairaveshwara temple, a heap of garbage lies uncleared.

The MLA admitted that he had failed to address the garbage problem in the area. “Every other issue has been looked into ever since I took charge, but for the garbage problem. It is likely to be addressed by December after a new agency takes over the responsibility,” he said.

In what came as a surprise announcement at the event, Naidu said CCTV cameras would be installed across ward number 17, J P Park. This, he said, would be done using funds from the MLA local area development grants. Following complaints that there were incidents of theft, he asked the police to intensify their night patrol. One of the residents from Yeshwantpur ward said ganja was being sold in the area and many youths were getting addicted to it.

Haphazardly parked vehicles and heavy transport vehicles being parked in the locality were the other complaints. At Sundarnagar, crossing the main road is a uphill task for the people due to the heavy traffic. They sought that a pedestrian crossing or a skywalk be constructed as a large number of people use the stretch.
 At V R Layout, parked lorries are causing inconvenience to the residents. Traffic inspector of the area was asked to take action against the owners immediately and have the vehicles moved to the designated terminal.  “It is not enough if you fine them for parking in the wrong place. We should fine them based on the quantity of goods they carry,” Naidu suggested. The residents said speed-breakers should be built on the Platinum City Road as it sees heavy vehicular movement.

Another major problem that the residents of this constituency face are vacant sites that have turned into garbage dumping yards, an ill-maintained stormwater drain and uncleared trash. Citizens said that at the vacant sites in their neighbourhood, they had to spend from their own pockets to get the garbage and weeds cleared. Several cases of Dengue were reported in the area, residents claimed. Naidu asked the assistant engineers and health officers to visit the spot immediately and get fogging done.

Overflowing drainage, broken manholes and sewage lines was one concern that the residents unanimously spoke about. The residents complained that in ward number 17, J P Park, the sanitary lines were clogged. Thimmappa, a resident of 13 ‘B’ main road, said that even as the old sanitary lines were replaced by new ones in the ward, the lines on this road remained untouched.

The MLA said that work was on to change the sanitary pipes across the constituency and this would happen in a phased manner.

He asked the officials concerned to visit the place immediately and take the necessary steps. On the water connection issues, Naidu promised that the whole of JP Park area would get free borewell water in the next three months.