As many as 500 residents, including students and senior citizens came together today morning, to form a human chain and block Bannerghatta main road, bringing traffic to a grinding halt, in an effort to highlight the plight of Ranka colony road, Bilekahalli. With a combined strength of 10,000 residents and commercial establishments, a group of chosen representatives have been driving several initiatives over the years, starting with Swachh Bharat drive, sapling plantation drive and several campaigns for residents’ welfare. With reference to cleanliness and hygiene however, there are matters of concern beyond the control of residents where local authorities haven’t been forthcoming. Today’s protest is to reiterate the concerns which gravely affect residents in the vicinity. The foremost of which is to remind local authorities to vacate the unauthorised waste segregation point at the intersection of Ranka Colony Road and Dr. Ambedkar Road. In addition to this, the location is being used as a local dump yard. The garbage is mixing up with the adjacent Storm Water Drain, eventually polluting the Madiwala lake. The area is being infested with mosquitoes, insects, rodents and pests, leading to diseases. Stray dogs and pigs numbers increasing by the day making the area unsafe for movement, many passers by have been attacked by the dogs.
The accumulated garbage pile is being frequently lit up by miscreants, leading to pollution and respiratory problems. Most importantly, reticulated gas banks of a few apartments are in close proximity and many lives are at risk. Residents have been repeatedly following up with local authorities, meetings held, online applications and complaints submitted. However, all actions thus far from the authorities have been temporary. No efforts have been made to permanently relocate the waste segregation point and dump yard away from this residential area. Although residents have been segregating waste at source level in each of the apartments as per BBMP guidelines, the issue being faced is in total contradiction to Government’s campaign and contrary to “Swachh Bharat” and “Green Bangalore “mission.The protest also highlighted the recent tragedy where a passerby was mowed down, by a speeding vehicle towards end of the road, due to lack of street lights.“I commute on this road every day and am shocked at the acute apathy on the part of BBMP to rectify their mistakes despite repeated reminders. What will it take for them to wake up and deliver their promises? One life is lost and life of hundreds more is at risk everyday.
Burning garbage next to gas tanks and gas Trucks is a disaster waiting to happen!! If this is not negligence, what else is?? said Dr. Singh, one of the residents of Ranka Colony road.The residents also brought to attention the issue of road being conveniently used as parking lot by nearby schools, gas cylinder trucks, trailers, cabs and private buses, which in addition to unwarranted traffic woes is also leading to a few miscreants, using the parking area for illegal activities. The residents have been repeatedly requesting local authorities for installing CCTV in the interest of safety.“We are completely fed up spending our time and energy appealing to officials in every forum possible to resolve our concerns. Despite paying such high property taxes why do we need to plead for basic services? said Ms. Gopi Venkataraman, another resident of Ranka Colony road. “Recently a pack of dogs chased our maid's son near garbage point early in the morning on his way to the school. He was bleeding on the road by the time some passerby saved him and admitted to hospital. Then on, kids are being prevented from venturing into Ranka Colony Road, added another resident Shivanand Shetty.The message residents would like to deliver with this protest is yet another reminder to the authorities for making the area clean, safe and a greener place to live. With the amount collectively being paid in the form of various taxes, this is after all a fair ask and basic rightful need of every citizen.