Better times for Bengaluru's BTM Layout soon

Better times for Bengaluru's BTM Layout soon
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The third edition of Bangalore Mirror Dialogues had residents of BTM Layout meeting a team from BBMP led by the commissioner, the BMRCL MD, officials from the police, BESCOM and BWSSB. Organised in association with Sun Shine Residents’ Welfare Association, the BM Dialogues gave a chance for everyone to listen, understand and resolve issues

Checks on at PGs, illegal ones to shut down: BBMP chief

The residents of BTM Layout are up in arms about the hundreds of PG dwellings. They alleged that the paying guests create a ruckus and are a nuisance to the neighbours. The residents alleged that there were more than 800 paying guest accommodations in BTM 1st and 2nd stages and most are illegal. Responding to this, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said, “According to the Revised Master Plan (RMP) of 2015, the PG’s are allowed. We are bound to give permission to whoever wants to build. Once the building plan is sanctioned, a commencement certificate should be taken and later the occupancy certificate is mandatory after a building is made. If these certificates are not there, then the building shouldn’t be there. Apart from this, if there are any violations in the building, then we do not grant them the occupancy certificate. The same goes for the paying guest dwellings. If they lack these certificates, then we will shut them down.”

Regarding the nuisance caused by the paying guests, he said, “The owner of a PG is asked to follow certain rules and regulation. They must tell their guests to follow the same. And the rules are strict. If they cause any disturbance and nuisance to other residents of the area, we can cancel the license of the PG license and close it immediately. No nuisance will be tolerated.”

The BBMP is checking documents of PGs in BTM Layout. “So far, we have identified 170 illegal ones. We will give them a notice of seven days to provide legal documents. If they fail to do so, they will be shut down,” said the BBMP Commissioner.”

More patrolling and constables to be deployed: ACP

The residents who had gathered for the meet were in for a bit of interesting anecdote when ACP (Mico Layout sub-division) Karibasavanagowda said that it was in BTM Layout where the notorious Bawaria gang was caught (and not been heard of since).

Karibasavanagowda, however, pointed out that crime in BTM Layout has decreased over the years. For mobile thefts and chain-snatching, 1,086 cases were registered in 2016 in BTM Layout, while in 2017, 619 cases were registered. In 2018 so far, only 327 cases have been registered for the same. When residents complained about drunken strangers roaming and disturbing the residents, the inspector said that 320 cases were filed against drunk people in BTM Layout. “But when we took them in custody, the residents came to us requesting that these were young students who live in PGs and must be released with a warning.”

He also said that in 2017, 61 house theft cases were filed and in 2018, only 34 house theft cases were registered so far.

As residents requested BTM Layout Traffic Inspector Puttamadaiah for increased patrolling, he promised to make more Hoysala patrolling vehicles available. Inspector Karibasavanagowda added, “12 constables will be deployed for night duty in BTM Layout. There are three Hoysalas for BTM Layout to act within 15 minutes of a complaint and reach any spot.”

We are trying to fix footpaths: BMRCL MD

It is a well-known fact that lack of footpaths in BTM Layout leads to chaos especially during monsoons. When residents asked about the reconstruction of footpaths that had been damaged due to metro works, BMRCL MD Ajay Seth said, “We are working on making footpaths walkable for now so that pedestrian movement can be made easier. We are trying to wind up the work as soon as possible. Some footpaths have got damaged and some street lights have been removed. By the end of December both street lights and the footpaths will be repaired.” He added that in September, lack of proper footpaths, and dug up roads had caused flooding and had interrupted pedestrian movement. “Since September, I have been having talks of improving walkability with the BBMP Commissioner Manjunath.”

Ajay Seth also clarified that once the metro construction starts on a road, fixing the potholes or the road damage caused by it, is BMRCL’s responsibility and that BMRCL is working closely with BBMP. He also said that especially during monsoons, travelling through roads where Metro work is on becomes a nightmare and his department will consider temporary solutions so that inconvenience can be avoided.

The residents also complained about how BMTC bus movements in narrow lanes along with the on-going Metro work causes great inconvenience. However, Ajay Seth assured that certain lanes can be improved so that vehicles can go through inner lanes as well. He declared that BMRCL will work with BMTC to solve this problem. He also shared how he had pitched for mini buses as a solution.

Passing on the baton

At BM Dialouges in BTM layout, when ACP Karibasavanagowda arrived, some children from the neighbourhood came up to him and saluted him. They told the ACP that their ambition is to become police officers and the ACP gave them his baton, with a salute, to play with.


The public officials offered solutions for issues like illegal paying guest accommodations, inadequate police patrolling, encroachment of public land and more at BTM Layout

The public officials offered solutions for issues like illegal paying guest accommodations, inadequate police patrolling, encroachment of public land and more at BTM Layout



Fix footpath, land encroachment: Residents

Suresh Prabhu from AICOBOO Nagar Residents Welfare Association pointed out the encroachment of public land. A civic amenity site of 2.13 acres on 16th Main, adjacent to BBMP ward office, is reserved for a park or a playground as per court orders. But it has now become a place of open defecation, garbage disposal. “We want the BDA and BBMP support to restore the land and create a playground for kids,” he said. The BBMP Commissioner said, “I will have a word with the joint commissioner to check if the land is allotted for play ground or park. If BDA hands over the site to BBMP, we will make one.” A BBMP official said, “According to the papers, the 2-acre land is divided into three parts. Two parts are have on-going litigations, the third is fenced by BDA for a park. If the BDA clears the litigated land we can start work on the park or playground.”
Satish Jadav from Sunshine Residents Welfare Association spoke about footpath encroachment by street vendors making senior citizens’ life difficult as they have no place to walk at BTM Layout 2nd stage. Addressing this, BBMP Commissioner, Manjunath Prasad said, “Street vendors are also like us. They have the right to sell things. But they have an act too. In every zone, there should be certain places earmarked for vending. We will have a drive to clear up the vendors causing a hindrance in people’s movement.”


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A lot of our issues which were not previously addressed has been addressed in this meet. In fact, this is the first time that we got top officials like BBMP commissioner and BMRCL MD on one platform to address our issues. Now, we are waiting for action on all these promises made by the authorities.
— SATISH JADHAV

The dialogue was very helpful. We saw some of the main issues have a quick soultion. Take the encroached land of 2.3 acres land. Out of that, close to 1-acre land is already available to the BBMP. The joint commissioner promised that in 15 days work on the park will commence.
— NAGENDRA B

For six months, garbage segregation was happening right outside our building. Right next to it is a gas company and their gas cylinders get unloaded there. Now, BBMP has promised action and we are hopeful.
— SONAL BHANDARI

We have all these main roads and crosses without speed limits. During the meet, I have requested for speed breakers. People use these as shortcuts and travel at a high speed. There are a lot of residential buildings here and these commuters don’t think about the children or the elderly walking on the street.
— NK SALATI

Firstly, the garbage collection is very irregular. So, it would help if it is streamlined. Secondly, there are a lot of stray dogs and small children are sometimes chased by them. We have taken up these issues with the BBMP team.
— DINESH RAO

There are a lot of PG’s in this area. A building with four to five floors now has 100 people residing. So, resources are also being used up. This ends up causing a lot of disturbance to residents.
— RACHNA RAO

This is the first time, I am attending such a meet. Our main concerns are commercialisation of neighbourhood and footpaths being taken over by vendors. Now, after the BM dialogues, I am hoping for positive changes.
SWATHI REDDY


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I am very happy to be a part of BM Dialogues. As BBMP plays an important role in providing civic services, active participation from citizens is also very important. And this is a great place to come together and talk about it
— N Manjunath Prasad, BBMP commissioner


This kind of initiative is good. People can approach me any time with their issues and we are always there to help people and all the issues discussed in BM Dialogues will be resolved soon
— K Devadas, Corporator, BTM Layout


BM Dialogues has been a convenient programme for us at Namma Metro. This gives us an opportunity to directly interact with residents, understand their issues and try to resolve them
— Ajay Seth, BMRCL MD


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A streetlight repaired in no time


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One of the important issues highlighted during the BM dialogues was that of street light. Many residents complained that the street lights weren’t working properly. In fact, one of the residents pointed out, “If you still need proof, see the streetlight near this venue, which hasn’t functioned in the last six months.” Interestingly, the streetlight which wasn’t functioning at the beginning of the programme got repaired by end of the BM Dialogues.


OPERATION KHATARA FINDS A MENTION

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A BTM Layout resident walked to the dais with the BM edition that had focused on Operation Khatara. He said it was one of the best campaigns taken up by BM and that civic agencies and police need follow it up. The BBMP Commissioner said land hads been identified in Bingipura for the purpose. ACP Karibasavanagowda told his traffic staff to tow such vehicles and hand them over to law and order police.


Fix kissing corners in ‘PG Layout’

People said that there were too many “kissing corners” in the area. “BBMP must ensure functioning street lights to stop such things. Alcohol bottles are strewn everywhere in the morning,” a resident fumed. “If policemen tell a couple to go away from a place, people go on social media to shame us for moral policing. We are taking suitable action,” said the ACP.
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