And to assert its supremacy, its new civic leader YN Ashwath came to the first council meeting on May 5 in king’s attire.
In the list of 198 BBMP wards, Kempegowda ward (Yelahanka) comes on top at No 1. Aptly so, it has been named after the founder of Bengaluru. And to assert its supremacy, its new civic leader YN Ashwath came to the first council meeting on May 5 in king’s attire.
Sans the dress though, Ashwath on Saturday went around his vast ward along with DNA, displaying the same whiff of authority and assertiveness. Yelahanka, he says, and the residents repeat, has everything to make it the nerve centre of Bangalore North. But it remains a Cinderella.
As he interacts with residents on the way, it becomes clear that the ward rich in lakes is poor in water for drinking. Water and sanitation are the main problems faced by the residents.
“We have serious water problems in the ward. The water is supplied once in 10 days and it is hard to manage our daily chores without proper supply,” says Pruthvi Raj, a resident of Lake View Residency. In response, the corporator says he has an altogether different plan to solve the water problem. Lakes and water bodies of the area must be utilised to quench the thirst, says he.
Ashwath was a member of the CMC and he knows the problems his ward faces. “As it happens to be the oldest locality, the pipelines running through this part are very old and damaged. All the pipelines of the ward — whether for water or for sanitary purposes — should be replaced with new pipelines to match the demands of the growing population.” says the corporator.
The ward comprises Govindapura, Kulappa Layout, Vasudevapura, Kendriya Vihar, Manchenahalli, Yelahanka (P), Yelahanka Airport Area, Maheshwari Nagar, Sai Springfield Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Lake View Residency, Nehru Nagar, Venkatala, Surabhi Layout, Venkatappa Layout, Shobha Ultima Villas, Venkatala Layout, Mantri Township, Vikas Layout, Yelahanka Kere, Shankaranna Layout, Sathyappa Anjanappa Kempamma Layout, Shivanahalli (P), Maruthi Nagar, Sapthagiri Layout (P), Jayanna Layout, Basaveshwara Nagar (P), and Bhadranna Layout.
The need for an electric crematorium was heard as a major grievance of the local residents. “We do not have a crematorium in the ward and it is shameful when we have to go to far off places to cremate,” says Jayamma, a resident of Jayanna Layout.
The civic leader has the same thought, “I will set up a crematorium,” he assures the resident.
The corporator is fully aware of it, she says. “The ward was allotted the equipment required to build a crematorium. But it has been gathering dust and rust for the past 10 years. Every year, about Rs200 crore is allotted for the Yelahanka assembly constituency but this is used only to replace or mend old pipes, nothing more,” she says.
Garbage disposal is also a major issue in the ward. Rotting garbage dumps rearing pests are seen in many parts of the ward. Many residents point out this issue. “There is no proper place to dump garbage in the ward. ‘Dump and forget’ is the policy being followed. This has to change,” says Bhagyamma, a resident of Venkatala Layout.
There are no bus stops and playgrounds or parks in the ward. “We want a bus stop, a big playground and parks,” Gnaneshwar Rao, a resident of Nehru Nagar tells the corporator.
“I’m going to change the chemistry of the ward to make it become literally No 1 in Bangalore,” swears Ashwath.
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