BANGALORE: HBR Layout is one of the oldest layout formed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). If the lack of basic infrastructure is anything to go by, it seems that the BDA had washed off its hands by merely selling the sites and is not bothered about its prime responsibility of providing water and better roads.
It may not be an exaggeration to say that most of the cross roads are unfit for use especially during monsoon. A few of them are full of potholes thus making it difficult for two-wheeler riders. If the unauthorised automobile workshops are allowed to flourish in this area, the day is not far for HBR Layout will be competing with Kalasipalya, the place known for having maximum number of auto garages. “I have been suffering from breathing problems due to pollution by a garage situated behind my house. Earlier, my husband suffered with similar problem. Now, it is my turn to undergo the trauma,’’ says a retired doctor with tears in her eyes.
The residents of HBR Layout want the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to pull up its socks to mitigate their civic woes. “I have been paying tax for the last 22 years. First it was the BDA, and later it was Byatarayanapura CMC and now it is the BBMP. They did nothing as far as providing civic amenities are concern,’’ says H Fernandes, a retired KSRTC employee.
The residents have also complained about vehicles parked haphazardly on the 80 Feet Road near Narendra Talkies. The road, which is considered as the main road of HBR Layout, has no footpath for the benefit of pedestrians. “Parking of vehicles has become a nuisance for us. There is no one to regulate the parking of vehicles on this road. This road also needs shoulder drain facility to prevent inconvenience to the pedestrians during monsoon,’’ says Mohammed Anwar, General Secretary, HBR Layout Residents’ Welfare Association.
The potholes on the road near SS Complex have been posing great danger to two-wheeler riders. “There are occasions where two-wheelers lost balance due to the potholes,’’ says a resident.
There is also nothing to revel about the amenities at the Teachers’ Colony. The roads are yet to be asphalted even after 10 years. “No one has taken any measures to asphalt this road. Moreover, we have to buy water from private water supplier. There are four street lights, of which, three are fused, hence they need to be replaced,’’ says H Bhagyalakshmi, a housewife.
Agreeing with the need to provide civic amenities, H Govindaraju, Corporator said that he had undertaken development works to the tune of ` 15 crore last year. “The BBMP had constructed 170 houses for the families of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes under the 22.75 per cent scheme. It had dug 17 borewells to mitigate the water woes,’’ informs Govindaraju.
He concludes saying that efforts would be made to provide footpath on the 80 Feet Road. As far as unauthorised automobile garages, he adds that he had already informed to the authorities concerned to take suitable measures.