Gentrified ward bogged with 'old' problems

Like many other wards in the City, it is also plagued by water crisis. “Water shortage has been persisting over the past couple of months in our area. We are receiving water once in ten 10 days,” complained Dr Dinesh, a resident of 12th ‘B’ Main Road.

The industrialists too have their grouse over water scarcity. “Here in the industrial area, we are receiving water only for six  hours from midnight 12 am to 6 am, thrice a week. ” said Raju, one of the industrialists who has a unit in Rajajinagar. While the Government has  agreed to supply water through four water tankers and sinking15 borewells in each constituency, people feel that it may not be adequate.

Demography

Over the past 20 years, the demography of Rajajinagar 6th Block has changed massively. With a huge influx of population in a once complete residential locality, houses and commercial complexes have multiplied in the area. The residents believe that unauthorised constructions have increased considerably over the years with shopping complexes and houses built on the Storm Water Drains.   

Traffic chaos has also worsened with access roads to the ward becoming highly congested. “It has become quite an effort to travel even half a kilometre without being stuck in a traffic jam. Also with the bus stops being close to the signals, the traffic piles up in the evening,” rues Dinesh.

In the industrial areas and on Dr Raj Kumar Road, convention halls and marriage halls have come up in numbers. The residents complain that traffic going haywire during marriage season. Stray dog menace and deteriorating law and order too have taken a toll on the citizens.

Residents only hope their grievances would be redressed with the elected body in place. “He is a two-time winner from this ward. We have full confidence in him. We only hope he gives more impetus to the water and sanitation problems,” said B N Dase Gowda, an industrialist.

But many others expressed their disillusionment as well. Dinesh said, “I have been living here for the past 20 years. Now it has just become unbearable to be part of this ward. Not once has the local corporator visited us after winning the election.”   

Profile

Name: Gangabyraiah
Family: Wife, a son and daughter
Education: Pre-University





The biggest concern in your ward is water shortage...

As per the division of the number of borewells, Dr Raj Kumar Ward will get three borewells. I think it will be more than sufficient for the entire ward. Also, we are looking at mandatory implementation of Rain Water Harvesting in the industrial belt.

What is your take on the traffic congestion?


There is proposal for two grade separators - one at the Prasanna Theatre junction and another at the  junction between Industrial Town and Layout - to ease the traffic congestion.

On the encroachment...

Only after a meeting with  BBMP and BDA, we can move further on the encroachment issue.

City voices

B N Dase Gowda:  We have complete faith in our corporator. We only expect that priority will be accorded to water and sanitary issues that plague the Rajajinagar Industrial area.

Nithyananda: The road work has to improve in the ward. We are helplessly watching
depletion of green cover. Contractors have ruined the roads with humps at every corner.

Dr Dinesh: It takes an hour for us to travel half a kilometre which should take not more than 15 minutes. There has to be a solution for the traffic chaos. Stray dog menace is quite frightening in the ward.