<p>Frustrated by the Bangalore Development Authority which has been continuing work on the Sirsi Circle-Agara Junction signal-free corridor despite High Court instructions ordering them to desist, Koramangala residents have hired a private security agency to protect public property.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For the last two months, three private security guards from Global Detective Agency have been keeping an eye on the proposed construction locations of four grade separators. <br /><br />The separators are part of the Bangalore Development Authority’s signal-free corridor project at Sarjapur Road, Koramangala 100 Feet Road Junction, Koramangala 80-Feet Road Junction and Jakkasandra Junction. But work was stopped on official orders by the High Court till a case over the project is decided.<br /><br />Residents claim that construction is being carried out on the sly by contractors hired by the Authority — in clear violation of the order. <br /><br />Local police were initially called in to stop construction but delays in the flow of information over the activities of the offending contractors hindered effective policing. <br /><br />“On numerous occasions, we were unable to identify the time when the Authority began construction work. On a few occasions, they started work at 2 pm and the information came to us only at 4.30 pm,” said one resident.<br /><br />Finally, after the Authority began to dig up the road at the water tank junction in Koramangala on June 1, independent security guards were hired to keep round-the-clock vigil. <br /><br />Residents claim that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has also approved the employment of the guards. <br /><br />Cost of vigilante policing<br /><br />Although the guards have been effective in halting construction work, they have come at a price. “For the month of June alone, the bills came to Rs 45,000. This month, they are likely to increase to Rs 60,000,” a resident said. <br /><br />A fund to pay the guards had been created through contributions from residents to the tune of Rs 500 to Rs 600 per home. At present, a single guard is on duty during the day while two cover the night shift.<br /><br />On Sunday, residents considered halting the services and reverting to a previous arrangement in which volunteers monitored the locations.</p>
<p>Frustrated by the Bangalore Development Authority which has been continuing work on the Sirsi Circle-Agara Junction signal-free corridor despite High Court instructions ordering them to desist, Koramangala residents have hired a private security agency to protect public property.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For the last two months, three private security guards from Global Detective Agency have been keeping an eye on the proposed construction locations of four grade separators. <br /><br />The separators are part of the Bangalore Development Authority’s signal-free corridor project at Sarjapur Road, Koramangala 100 Feet Road Junction, Koramangala 80-Feet Road Junction and Jakkasandra Junction. But work was stopped on official orders by the High Court till a case over the project is decided.<br /><br />Residents claim that construction is being carried out on the sly by contractors hired by the Authority — in clear violation of the order. <br /><br />Local police were initially called in to stop construction but delays in the flow of information over the activities of the offending contractors hindered effective policing. <br /><br />“On numerous occasions, we were unable to identify the time when the Authority began construction work. On a few occasions, they started work at 2 pm and the information came to us only at 4.30 pm,” said one resident.<br /><br />Finally, after the Authority began to dig up the road at the water tank junction in Koramangala on June 1, independent security guards were hired to keep round-the-clock vigil. <br /><br />Residents claim that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has also approved the employment of the guards. <br /><br />Cost of vigilante policing<br /><br />Although the guards have been effective in halting construction work, they have come at a price. “For the month of June alone, the bills came to Rs 45,000. This month, they are likely to increase to Rs 60,000,” a resident said. <br /><br />A fund to pay the guards had been created through contributions from residents to the tune of Rs 500 to Rs 600 per home. At present, a single guard is on duty during the day while two cover the night shift.<br /><br />On Sunday, residents considered halting the services and reverting to a previous arrangement in which volunteers monitored the locations.</p>
