Petty issues in this small ward

BANGALORE: It may not be an exaggeration to say that Gangenahalli Ward is one of the few small wards of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Its jurisdiction is only 1.9 square kilometres. The areas that include are Ganganagar, Dena Bank Colony, Gangenahalli Extension, Mathadhalli Layout.Many consider this ward as one of the well-maintained wards in Bangalore City. Most of the roads are clean and the BBMP has taken up measures to ensure garbage cleaning on regular basis. However, the BBMP authorities have to focus on cleaning garbage at 4th Main of MLA Layout (Gangenahalli Extension). “The pipes have been lying for more than six months here. These pipes are obstructing the smooth movement of vehicles. I hope the authorities concerned to take measures to remove these pipes,’’ said M K Raju, a resident of 2nd Cross, Muthappa Block.The residents of CPV Block, who used to suffer due to bad odour emanating from an open drain, are happy with the work done by the BBMP in strengthening the open drain and cover it with concrete slabs. “We thank the authorities for taking up the development work here. However, we want them to speed up the work to prevent inconvenience for us,’’ said Shanthi Kanakarj, a resident of 3rd Cross, CPV Block.The BBMP had sanctioned Rs 3 crore to take up development works in this ward excluding Rs 70 lakh from MLA fund and `98 lakh from Mayor fund. Corporator, M Nagaraja said that the BBMP has taken up development of footpath on Bellary Road with an estimated cost of `20 lakh. “There is a proposal to construct a skywalk on Bellary Road near Mekhri Circle. The work is expected to commence in April. It will be a great help for the pedestrians,’’ said Nagaraja. He claimed that BBMP had constructed 16 houses at Ambedkar Colony and Kempe Gowda Colony for Scheduled Caste and Tribes families under 22.75 per cent scheme. “There is a plan to construct six houses for other backward caste families. The authorities have sanctioned ` 15 lakh for this purpose,’’ said the corporator. To mitigate water woes, the BBMP had dug seven borewells. “These borewells are yet to be given power connection. The residents will not face problems for water once these borewells start working,’’ said the corporator. He said the focus will be on strengthening drains and ensuring the ward free from garbage this year.