BENGALURU: On a Sunday morning, the Resident Welfare Association of Halasuru hosted the year’s first meeting to discuss neighbourhood troubles such as garbage piles, overflowing sewage and broken street lights and to introduce the residents to each other.
The Halasuru Resident Welfare Association is fairly new, which started functioning two years ago. The residents admitted that the participation has been comparatively less compared to other RWAs so the first step of introduction seemed necessary to battle the odds of civic issues. “We are in a mess,” said one of the members.
Forming sub-committees
There were a few who said that they had no idea that such an association existed in the neighbourhood.
Shivakumar, who has been residing in the area for six years, said that he has been individually following up with the authorities to fix potholes. He stated that he could do it because there are certain websites you can visit and report the problem. Shivakumar was immediately appointed head of a group in HRWA, and they are to correspond with the BBMP officials to fix such problems.
Other sub-committees formed included those for handling the garbage problems effectively. Ela Nobbay, a resident, shared that she has collaborated with an NGO to segregate and dispose waste from her apartment complex and the whole building is participating. “We have seen immese success and it would be great if other buildings could follow this up,” she said.
A sub-committee to fix the loosely hanging telecom wires in and around the area was also formed.
Ulsoor Lake development
Given the significance attached to the Ulsoor lake, the residents were keen when Zayd Noaman, executive director of Prestige Group, who is heading the Ulsoor lake Master Plan addressed the meeting and presented the comprehensive plan to the residents. Prestige Group, a development company, adopted the lake two years ago.
“My grandfather resided very near to the lake. We are all personally attached to it. My mother goes for walk there, often,” said Zayd.
The 2020 Masterplan also looks to replenish the locality’s groundwater. “But the first thing we are looking for is the participation from the people so that we can implement it as soon as possible,” concluded Zayd.