BANGALORE: Here is good news for around 50 washermen families who have been depending on Lazarus Road dhobi ghat for their livelihood.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had sanctioned `50 lakh to take up development works at the dhobi ghat.
The Corporator of Maruthi Sevanagar Ward, R Rajendran informed that the actual plan was to take up development works worth `1.10 crore.
“There was a plan to provide washing machines for the benefit of washermen, but they felt that washing machines may not suit them.
Later, the plan was modified to take up more civil works at the dhobi ghat,’’ said Rajendran.
As of now, there are no toilet facility at the dhobi ghat, thus causing a lot of inconvenience for washerwomen.
Also the water tank constructed many years ago needs immediate repair.
“The water is leaking from the tank.
We have requested the BBMP authorities to take measures to repair the water tank immediately,’’ said a washerman.
A few months ago, MLA K J George and Corporator Rajendran and BBMP authorities had inspected the dhobi ghat.
‘’The authorities and elected representatives had visited this dhobi ghat and assured us to take up the development works as early as possible,’’ said a washerman.
It was said that some miscreants had stolen clothes put up on the clothes lines a few months ago.
‘’We have complained to the police about it.
As of now, there is no such problem,’’ said a washerman.
Meanwhile, Corporator Rajendran said that he wanted to repair the water tank that was constructed during the British regime.
He insisted that instead of demolishing it and they construct a new one.
‘’There is a proposal to construct houses for 50 washermen to facilitate their stay at the dhobi ghat,’’ said Rajendran.
On the lack of other facilities, the Corporator said that the BBMP wanted to construct a meeting hall, separate room for washerwomen at the dhobi ghat.
‘’As of now, the BBMP had allocated ` 50 lakh to take up the development works.
It is expected to float tenders for this purpose shortly,’’ added the Corporator.
Stating that the BBMP will release the remaining funds (` 60 lakh) as per the requirement, the corporator concluded that the development works will commenced within a month