BANGALORE: One can probably label Nandini Layout Ward under the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) as one of the well-maintained wards in the city. With ample green cover, massive trees, it is a place any city dweller would wish to reside. Other than the water problem, the residents in the area do not seem to have much complaints. As the water table in the area has dropped drastically, many bore wells in the ward have also gone dry.
Also a public toilet built by the BBMP near Nandini Layout bus stand has been closed for a few months now. This has disappointed the morning walkers in the area. “The early morning walkers and others in the area are forced to use the toilet at bus stand as this new toilet is not yet open for public. Lakhs of rupees went into the construction of the toilet, but it is locked and kept idle, failing to serve its purpose,” said Munigangaiah, a shop-keeper.
When City Express spoke to the area Corporator M Nagaraj, he said, “The toilet has not been opened yet as we have still not got a water connection. Out of the 55 bore-wells that we have dug for the public, many have gone dry. The water table in the area has dropped so badly that many bore-wells have failed to yeild any water even after reaching 400-500 feet.”
Explaining further, Nagaraj lashed at Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board for showing partiality in releasing water to his ward. “The water board is favouring BWSSB Minister Suresh Kumar’s constituency. They are providing more water to his ward and giving first priority to that ward.”
He further said that due to low pressure in the ward, water fails to enter the ward against gravity. The area residents said that the works of covering storm water drain in the ward is delayed. “We have completed covering storm water starting from Kanteerava studio till Parimalanagar. The rest will be covered at the earliest.”
Nagaraj further alleged that most of the developmental works taken up by him for his ward are allegedly hindered by MLA Narendra Babu. “As the works of covering the storm water drain with slabs are progressing on at snail’s pace, the metal rods that are jutting out of the unfinished foundation pillars has turned in to a potential hazard for children,” said Chennaiah, a retired employee of NGF.
The ward seem to have some dangerous curves. There is a need to put a break to speeding vehicles.