Wait till December, residents told

BANGALORE: Tarring of roads: by December. Cleaning of side drains: by December. Providing water connections: by December. In Ward 88 Banaswadi, most works will “be completed by December, problems solved by December’’. But in the here and now, realities are harsh and living conditions terrible.
This is a new ward. During this year’s budget, Rs 45 lakh was allotted to the ward — Rs 2.5 lakh for provision of individual water connections in slum areas, and Rs 90 lakh as a ‘special grant’ for tarring of roads in the entire ward.Apart from this, Rs 10 lakh has also been allotted for the ‘Model Road’ scheme at Hennur-Banaswadi Road where footpath development is going on. But the corporator says clearly, “This is a large area. It is impossible to develop it. The funds are insufficient.’’
The ward covers Kalyan Nagar 1st and 2nd block, Jaya Javana Nagar, Irappa Reddy Layout, OMBR Layout, Banaswadi, Banaswadi old village and 32 small layouts in Banaswadi (all mostly revenue pockets). Slums are Harijan Colony and Makontamma Nagar.
Roads all over the ward are in a pathetic condition. Most are just metalled. All are dug up due to line installation work by the BWSSB, and many lie unconcreted. Tarring will begin only after the job is complete. Except Uttam Sagar Road to Banaswadi Ring Road, Kalyan Nagar 1st block 2nd and 3rd crosses, all other roads are untarred.
“The BWSSB has to finish its work first. After the rainy season, we will take up tarring and concreting in small lanes,’’ officials said.
Only 80 per cent of BWSSB’s work is somewhat complete. There are delays in procurement of pipes. Connections are yet to be activated, with the deadline set for “within two months’’. Residents here have been managing with water tankers and septic tanks.
A 6.5-km long Storm Water Drain passes through the ward from Banaswadi Outer Ring Road to OMBR Layout. There are no plans of desilting this year. Clearing of overgrowth and foliage around the SWD and side drains has not been undertaken and is a breeding ground for insects and mosquitoes.
Garbage heaps are visible in spots. Street name boards are haphazardly placed, and are to be replaced with more coherent ones at a cost of Rs 7 lakh. But work is yet to start.
According to the corporator’s promises, by March next year, the ward will be a different, ‘developed’ place. Residents certainly hope so.