BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had spent around Rs 10 lakh to construct four water tanks and concrete the floor for the benefit of around 70 washermen families at Singapura Dhobi Ghat. But the washermen want the BBMP to be generous in providing the basic amenities at the dhobi ghat.
The washermen, who come to this dhobi ghat for washing clothes from areas such as Vidyaranyapura, Gangamma Circle, Kuvempu Nagar 2nd Stage, Marathalli, Lakshmipura Cross and Kansiram Nagar, appeal the BBMP to complete the work of constructing the compound wall work as early as possible. “Safety of the clothes is a major issue at the dhobi ghat. We request the BBMP to spend some more money to complete the construction of the compound wall,’’ said Chinna Dorai, president, Singapura Layout Dhobi Ghat Sangha.
Last year, on December 17, the BBMP had taken up construction of a rest room. “We are grateful to the BBMP for taking up construction of a rest house but we need a few sheds in order to store clothes. There is only one toilet at the dhobi ghat which is insufficient . We need at least one more toilet for washerwomen,’’ said S Suresh, General Secretary of the Sangha.
Suresh said that the washermen had to face a lot of problems for water whenever the borewell is under repair. “It will be a great help for washermen if the BBMP digs one more borewell,’’ said Suresh.
However, K RYashodamma Krishnappa is not happy with the washermen’s demands. “The dhobi ghat is meant for only washing purpose only. It is certainly not a shelter for washermen. A few so-called leaders of washermen association are collecting money from washermen for using the dhobi ghat,’’ said Krishnappa.
He came down heavily on the washermen for changing the location decided for the construction of the rest room for them. “We decided to construct the rest room at one corner of the dhobi ghat but the so-called leaders of washermen sangha had changed the location by threatening the contractor. They made the contractor to construct the rest room just below the high-tension power lines which is not advisable due to the probabaledangers associated with it,’’ he said.He advised the washermen to confine themselves only to washing of clothes and not to indulge in politics.