HBR 5th Block Social and Cultural Association

HBR 5^TH BLOCK SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

No.1489, 17^TH C main, 5^th block, HBR layout, 1st stage, Bangalore-560043

Regd. No.: SOR/BLU/DR/1051/2009

Bangalore

29-3-2013

To:

The Chairman - Bangalore Development Authority (BDA),

T. Chowdaiah Road, Kumarapark West,

Bangalore-560 020 (chmn@bdabangalore.org)

The Commissioner - Bangalore Development Authority (BDA),

T. Chowdaiah Road, Kumarapark West,

Bangalore-560 020 (com@bdabangalore.org)

Dear Sirs,

Sub: Petition for underpasses/subways to aid Pedestrians on the ORR at Nagawara junction

Traffic at Nagawara junction

BDA is constructing a flyover at Nagawara junction on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to ease vehicular traffic movement. Every day thousands of pedestrians cross this junction at approximately half a km stretch of ORR from BESCOM office to Manyata Tech Park: the maximum number cross at Nagawara signal. The pedestrians include, students, daily wageworkers, office goers, bus commuters, shoppers for daily necessities, etc.

The HBR BDA Layout is divided by ORR and the common facilities like Garden/Park, Religious places, shops, bus shelters, BESCOM & other utility offices are shared by BDA

residents on either side for which frequent crossings become necessary. It is estimated that on an average 15,000 - 20,000 persons cross ORR during peak hour at this stretch.

Sir, you may be aware that pedestrians have the first right to the road. Yes, it is a Universal rule. While the first right to use the road is of the Pedestrians, the motor vehicle drivers “have the license to use the road”

We the following signatories earnestly request you to approve incorporation of TWO underpass/subways at the following locations of the Nagawara flyover

1. Near BESCOM office on the Hennur end

2. Near Manyata Tech Park on the Hebbal end

We are seeking two under-passes considering the following aspects

1. The crossing at Sl. No 1 above will help students, bus commuters, HBR residents & other general public.

2. Manyata Tech Park houses nearly a lac of people who commute into it daily. Even considering half of them using mass transport system, the underpass will have sufficient footfall.

3. The pedestrian free pass will benefit motorists, physically disabled, senior citizens, and young students besides the general public in improving accident free mobility.

Thanking you,

With warm regards

V.G.Sathyamurthy

President

Mob: 9742087307

Copy to: 1.Town Planner Member - BDA, T. Chowdaiah Road, Kumarapark West,

Bangalore-560 020

2.Engineering Department Executive Engineer (North) - BDA, RT Nagar Shopping complex, RT Nagar, Bangalore

3.Public Relations Wing - BDA, Bangalore Development Authority,

T. Chowdaiah Road, Kumarapark West, Bangalore-560 020 (pro@bdabangalore.org )

HBR 5^TH BLOCK SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

No.1489, 17^TH C main, 5^th block, HBR layout, 1st stage, Bangalore-560043

Regd. No.: SOR/BLU/DR/1051/2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Dt: 11Th Sept 2011

The Commissioner,

BBMP, Bangalore (sent via email: comm@bbmp.gov.in, jceast@bbmp.gov.in,)

Respected Sir,

Sub: Summary of long pending developmental works and civic problems in HBR layout, 5^th block, 1^st stage, Ward No.24

We, the residents of HBR 5^th block would like to bring the following grievances to your kind notice and needful action.

The area covered under our association is as defined below:

· On the North side: From 20th cross (near BESCOM-BWSSB office) to 26^th cross.

· On the south side: 1^st A cross.

· On the East side: From 36^th to 45^th cross of 19^th main

· On the West side: Outer ring road (near Forest Dept. gate)

(A layout map is attached herewith for your reference)

DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS:

Asphalting/Tarring of roads: The asphalting/tarring work has not been taken up in this segment since several years and there are innumerable potholes. Some time back BBMP took up asphalting/tarring of some main roads in 5^th block (i.e. from 15^th main to 19^th main road and left it half way and incomplete. All other roads namely 14^th, 17^th C main and all cross roads (i.e. from 21^st to 27^th cross near BESCOM office and from 36^th cross to 45^th cross at 19^th main) were not done. The condition of roads (i.e. 30^th C main-BESCOM office road, extension roads of 17^th and 18^th main and 21^st to 27^th cross roads) on the other side of storm water drain is in a worst and dilapidated state posing danger to all. When the association took up the case, BBMP started filling up potholes wherever the roads were very bad and that work was also done partially.

Pathetic condition of BESCOM road connecting outer ring road and 19^th main

Fencing of open SWD: The fencing of open SWD (with chain link barbed wires) was done long back from ring road to Footstep Bridge. The stretch from Footstep Bridge to 19^th main bridge is left out unfinished. Mr.Gundappa sheety, (Ex- EE) and Mr. Vijayakumar, AE during their visit to our layout in May ‘10 had agreed to complete the work in a month’s time. In spite of several reminders on this matter nothing has happened till date.

Retaining walls for SWD: The below photos will illustrate the condition of the SWD beyond 19^th main bridge. The sidewall was constructed on one side only for a very short length and the work was stopped mid way. As there is neither a sidewall nor any fence to the SWD, many construction people from neighboring and far off places are dumping the debris here day and night. Due to this there is a hindrance in the flow of sewage water and the same stagnates becoming a breeding place for mosquitoes and other insects and foul smell emanate from this stagnated water. In spite of our letter to Chief Engineer SWD, nothing has happened so far.

Demolished sidewall not reconstructed even after

1-½ years.

Construction of demolished sidewall of SWD: The SWD sidewall was broke open to get entry of JCP into the SWD for the purpose of de-silting. This was done in Jan’10 and lying as it is till today. The demolished sidewall to be reconstructed immediately; otherwise there are much likely chances of sewage water entering into the layout during rainy season.

Revamping of rainwater side drains: Revamping of side drains was done only in some roads and left half way; and it has to be done in full-fledged manner in all roads. This shows that the current sitting officers and engineers of BBMP in charge of our layout may not be visiting/inspecting while the developmental work is taking place

Overflowing of sewage water: It has been observed that the sewer pipes get clogged very often and sewage water overflows through manhole chamber and run onto the road creating foul smell and causing hardship to the residents. The reason being that at many places the chamber’s manhole lids are either not placed properly or damaged; and in some cases the chamber’s mouth itself got damaged.

The sewer pipes 9” of size which were laid long back when the number of house in this layout were very less and since the number of houses is increased to many folds and many more sewer pipes from adjacent areas are connected to the 19^th main pipe, it is not sustaining the large volume of sewage water running in this pipe and causing overflow.

Street signboards: Recently street signboards were erected and painted with street numbers in our layout; but still at many places signboards are to be erected and painted. It has been observed that some signboards are with wrong markings as under; and it’s to be corrected to match with property documents. Even after our reminders no action has been taken.

§ 17^th ‘A’ main is written as 17^th main (where it meets with 1^st A cross)

§ 30^th’A’ cross is written as 30^th cross (at both ends of 30^th A cross)

§ 1^st ‘A’ cross is written as 1^st main road.

§ 39^th cross is written as 33^rd cross at one place and 38^th cross at another place.

Side drain cleaning: Side drains were cleaned only in some roads and left halfway as usual. As the side drains are with full of weeds, mud and debris, the rainwater doesn’t flow and stagnates, rising too much stinky smell and becomes breeding place for mosquitoes. We brought it to the notice of all concerned; but no action has been taken.

Vacant sites: Though the layout was formed 22 years back, there are more than 40% sites vacant. These sites look like jungle with thick bushes. And are used as public toilet by the construction labors and slum dwellers (camped at 19^th main- 36&37^th cross for over 10 years.) These sites have turned into garbage/debris yards. These site owners stay elsewhere and never bothered to maintain/clean the site; waiting for good appreciation of real estate at the cost of others sufferings. BDA has to initiate action by issuing notices to all these site owners and get it cleaned immediately or BDA can do it themselves by levying some penalty on the site owners. There are more possibilities for the layout people, especially the children to get bitten by the snakes, which are in abundance in the layout.

Park and other civic amenities: Please note that there is no Library, playground for children and a park in our segment. During the layout formation BDA had earmarked 18 guntas of land in 18^th main; but even after the lapse of 22 years no park has come up in this site. During these periods the land mafias tried to knock of this prime land many times. The construction activities of the mafia on this land were stalled by BDA each time by demolishing the construction. Recently, the BBMP officials recovered this prime site from the hands of land grabbers and now it’s under way for converting into a PARK. We have made several representations to the concerned authorities; but nothing has happened till today.

Footpath: In 19^th main, footpath with moulded concrete tiles were laid some years ago on one side of the road (from site No.1280 to site No.1305) only and stopped abruptly like any other development work. This has to be done in full-fledged manner wherever it has been planned.

Bus shelter:

v 2 shelters are to be made on the outer ring road i.e. near the Forest office gate (between Hennur main Road signal and Nagawara signal) one each in opposite manner, for buses going towards Hebbal and the other one for the buses going towards Krishnarajapuram.

v The 3^rd shelter in 19^th main, 5^th block, HBR layout, i.e. near 42^nd cross from where bus No. 296B starts now.

In this regard we have written a letter DT: 13th Jan 2010, addressed to: Shri.K.S.Viswanath,

Chief Traffic Manager (Operation), BMTC, Shanthi Nagar, Bangalore-560027.

But till today no action has been taken by the BMTC. Please instruct the BMTC officials to take up the necessary action. P4

More bus services: Presently we are having two route buses 296B and 296D; one is for Shivajinagar and the other is for Majestic. It’s a long due to introduce more buses like to K.R.Puram, Yeswantpura and K.R.Market. We have learnt that there is a bus No.412 that plies between Hennur cross and ISRO layout. This bus starts from Hennur cross and goes via Kammanahally, IOC, Indiranagar, Domlur, Koramangala, BTM layout, Jayanagar, Banashankari, Kumarasamy layout to ISRO layout. Hence, this bus can be made to start from HBR 5^th block, as the case of 296B and 296D buses. We have written a letter to BMTC on 22^nd July 2010 on this regard and the issue has to be taken up with BMTC officials.

CIVIC PROBLEMS

Cow menace: There is a vacant site No.1280 at 19^th main - opposite to Anjaneya temple-which is lying vacant since the inception of this layout and seems not allotted to anybody by BDA. This site is being used as debris dumping yard. Apart from this, the stretch of road in front of this big site is used as cattle’s breeding center and it is a breading ground of mosquitoes and other disease spreading flies and insects. Nearly 10 to 15 cows are brought to these sites from elsewhere for milking during early morning hours; and after that it’s left free in the layout for graze. Besides, the cows roam day and night in the streets and defecate all over the places, making nuisance to the residents/motorist. We are facing the cow menace problem for the last 3 to 4 years. Several complaints to all concerned have gone into deaf ears.

Garbage collection and disposal: The waste management team at our HBR 5^th block layout is not doing the collection & disposal of garbage i.e sweeping of all roads properly and regularly. Roads are being swept once in 8 or 10 days. The swept wastes are either dumped in vacant sites or burned. The garbage dumped by passers-by near the KEB transformer at 19^th main and many other places in the layout has not been cleaned regularly. Repeated complaints have not yielded any response.

Stray dog menace: Stray dogs are increasingly troubling the residents, particularly morning walkers. Working professionals who come home late in the night are also affected.

Slum dwellers: There is a slum at 19^th main (between 36^th and 37^th cross) that exists for over 8 yrs. These dwellers live in a pathetic condition and use vacant sites to attend natural calls.

Short supply of water: We are having acute short supply of water (due to insufficient water pressure) for the last 6 months. We have made several complaints to East zone engineers and also to Chairman. But till today there is no improvement in the water supply.

Sodium Vapor lights: At present Sodium vapor lights are provided only in few places. We have been asking BESCOM authorities to provide it at all main/cross junctions in our layout. But so far nothing has happened. Please instruct the BESCOM officials to install sodium vapor lights at all places.

Storm Water Drain posing health hazard to the residents: The storm water drainage running through our layout is posing hazard and life threatening ailments. The big SWD gives rise to many problems and if not covered with concrete slabs, it will prove to be dangerous. Some residents, who live close to SWD, are planning to vacate the place and move elsewhere, due to the unbearable smell emanate from the highly polluted/chemical water running in SWD. The stink is more during nighttime, as the nearby industries release the chemical water into the SWD during night as none can notice/ watch it. Since the chemicals mixed in sewage water, the whole atmosphere is always polluted; and it creates irritation in eye and skin. Especially children and elderly people find it difficult to breath.

Some times we see carcasses in SWD that adds to our misery; and we are clueless as to whom to be blamed. Though the storm water drain is meant for rainwater to flow, it is being used as sewage/ sanitary water to flow.

In total, there is nobody to take care of our layout. Layout (BBMP) engineers, health inspector and corporator are there for namesake only.

The residents of HBR 5th block humbly request your good selves and your high office to look into the grievances and do the needful.

Thanking you,

With Best regards

A.Rajagopal

Honorary Secretary