Mahalakshmi Layout: Full of parks, but few of use

 Mahalakshmi Layout in northern Bengaluru has as many as 53 parks, but most of them are in bad shape. From inadequate lighting to lack of benches, the green spaces have plenty of problems.

The poor upkeep of parks was one of the several issues put forth by residents before their MLA, K Gopalaiah, and seven corporators. At ‘Citizens for Change’, a citizens’ connect initiative organised by Deccan Herald and Prajavani on Saturday, residents had a platform to seek assurance from the officials concerned to address the civic issues.

Scores of people turned up for the event from seven wards — Nandini Layout (43), Marappana Palya (44), Nagapura (67), Mahalakshmipuram (68), Shakthiganapathi Nagar (74), Shankar Mutt (75) and Vrushabhavathi Nagar (102).

Basavaraju T P, a member of Basaveshwaranagar Senior Citizens’ Forum, said that barring Kempegowda Park in Shankar Mutt, all parks needed better upkeep. Nandamma, a resident of Nandini Layout, said there were no benches in the local park. What’s more, garbage is dumped near the park and left uncleared.

Hare Krishna Park has not seen maintenance for several months now as work on Namma Metro and Rajajinagar 1st Block flyover work had been under way. “The park is in bad shape and its compound walls need to be redone,” said B S Ravindra, a resident of Nagapura ward. Pipeline Park in the same ward, awaits inauguration. The MLA said the park would be inaugurated soon and named after Balagangadharanatha Swami. He also promised phased upgrade of parks in the constituency. “Several plans to improve the parks are in the pipeline. We want to make this a model constituency,” he said.

Residents also complained about illegal activities such as alcoholism, smoking, sale of tobacco to minors and eve-teasing taking place in the parks.

Traffic problems

Agumbe Gurujaj Bhat, a resident of Nagapura ward, said, “If one rides on the fourth main road, it feels like a dance. The roads are in a pathetic condition, so are the footpaths.” Rama Rao, a resident of Mahalakshmi Layout, said that roads in Marappana Palya had not been asphalted for the past three years. Gopalaiah assured that work would begin after the monsoon.

Encroachment of footpath by roadside vendors, wrong parking and food stalls were other issues residents face. Gurudutt Prabhu of Shakthiganapathi Nagar ward said a number of food stalls had come up on the footpath near SBI Staff Colony. “It also obstructs traffic as motorists park their vehicles there to buy cigarettes.” Krishnamurthy C from Shankar Mutt ward noted that haphazard parking between Shankar Mutt and Kaverinagar badly affected traffic. That’s not all, with constant traffic near APMC Yard, residents said they were unable to sleep well.

Traffic jams are common in several parts of Mahalakshmi Layout. Deputy Mayor Hemalatha Gopalaiah, who participated in the event, said traffic would ease once the flyover between Bovipalya and the Outer Ring Road opened.

Irregular water supply

Despite being located in Bengaluru’s core area, Mahalakshmi Layout does not get regular supply of Cauvery water. Rama Rao, a resident of Mahalakshmi Layout, said there had been no supply of Cauvery water since March 2012. Gopalaiah responded, “If this issue is not sorted within Monday, I will ensure that water tankers are sent to your house.”

Stray dogs

Gururaj Bhat, a resident of Nagapura ward, said there were many stray dogs at 4th main, 2nd stage. Similar complains were heard from residents of Sathyanarayana Layout, Nandini Layout and Shankar Mutt. The MLA said dogs could only be vaccinated and then dropped back at the original place, as per the Supreme Court guidelines.

Contact numbers

Corporators
 K V Rajendra Kumar, Nandini Layout, 9886789567
 Mahadev M, Marappana Palya, 9945544444
 Badregowda B, Nagapura, 9448315643
 S Keshavamurthy, Mahalakshmipuram, 9844208489
 Gangamma, Shakti Ganapathi Nagar, 8722084777
 M Shivaraju, Shankar Mutt, 9880092283
 S P Hemalatha, Vrushabhavathi Nagar, 9535829234

Joint Commissioner : Yathish Kumar 9480683552

Police

 A R Badiger, Malleswaram ACP, 9480801305
 G A Jagadish, Traffic (North) ACP, 9480801907
 V Venugopal, Vijayanagar ACP, 9480801707 

BBMP Joint Commissioner Yathish Kumar did not
participate in the Citizens for Change event.