Will Lotus Bloom Again in Dasarahalli?

BENGALURU: Poverty amidst plenty best describes Dasarahalli constituency. Despite boasting of  having one of the largest industrial hubs of Asia — the Peenya Industrial Area — in its middle, the constituency has failed to be a showcase of the prosperity that such mega industrialisation usually brings.

The poverty and plight of the labour class has remained the sad identity of this constituency, which had thrown out Congress in the last BBMP and Assembly polls. It is one of the largest assembly segments in terms of population.

BJP MLA S Muniraju is carving a niche for himself here as the president of the party’s Bengaluru Urban district as well. BJP’s Lotus had bloomed in five of the eight wards in the 2010 BBMP polls. While JD(S) had won in one ward, Congress had failed to open its account and the two  remaining wards went to Independents.

However, Congress is seeking to change its fortune this time with liberal grants for taking up development works in the constituency. The party is hoping to woo the large segment of garment workers, mostly women, and unorganised labour by showcasing its recent initiatives like special bus services for women working in garment factories and the free rice Anna Bhagya scheme.

Many JD(S) leaders have now changed loyalties and bolstered Congress’ strength.

A one-time city municipal council and a satellite neighbourhood of the city, Dasarahalli, added to BBMP after delimitation, grapples with many civic problems.

Despite industrial development in the vicinity, civic infrastructure is poor. Located on the fringes of BBMP limits, a large part of Dasarahalli assembly segment has a rural backdrop. While booming land prices have benefitted a few, others continue to be gripped by poverty.

Several residents in Shettyhalli, Bagalagunta and even Peenya Industrial Area wards complain of lack of toilets, resulting in the problem. In Shettyhalli, women bear the brunt of absence of toilets, as they are forced to go out in the open to attend  nature’s call.

“Earlier, we used to go to the nearby ground to relieve ourselves. Recently, a compound wall was erected around it. We face immense problems because of the absence of tiolets.  Going out in the night is risky for women,”  a woman resident complained.

Water supply too is a major concern as Cauvery water is yet to reach several localities in various wards. Whatever water supply they get is not potable, residents complain.

In Shettyhalli, a drinking water unit was set up using BBMP funds. However, the unit has been of little use as there is no permanent power supply for it.

Several slums have come up in recent years in the Peenya Industrial Area, along the edges of several large manufacturing units,  Sanitation is non-existent in these localities. People continue to live on hope.

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