Though this constituency with 4.7 lakh voters has emerged as a major IT and corporate hub, it continues to face what is called the ‘110 village syndrome’.
Traffic management is clearly the top priority for both the incumbent MLA Arvind Limbavali and other contestants.
Should employees of all the IT companies under Mahadevapura’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) use public transport? What will it take to prevent encroachment of water bodies like the historic Pattandur Agrahara lake? When will waste from across the city stop getting dumped in this constituency? Why did the incumbent MLA not solve these problems during his last two terms? These are some of the common concerns voiced by Mahadevapura’s residents.
Though this constituency with 4.7 lakh voters has emerged as a major IT and corporate hub, it continues to face what is called the ‘110 village syndrome’, according to the Million Voter Rising campaign conducted by citizen’s group Whitefield Rising. Various problems faced by the constituency were highlighted at an open forum organised for residents and candidates contesting elections on Sunday.
Some of the problems included how only 22% of the total street lights function at any given point and how, despite the constituency having the most number of lakes in Bengaluru (around 35), the water bodies are either catching fire, spewing froth or getting encroached.
Traffic management is clearly the top priority for both the incumbent MLA Arvind Limbavali and other contestants. “We have to extend Metro link, strengthen the suburban rail network, levy higher taxes on new vehicles and encourage carpool lanes,” said Limbavali, whose suggestion to create more elevated corridors was met with opposition as it would only lead to increase in private vehicles on the road.
Lake pollution can be tackled by re-establishing links between tanks in the locality, said Bhaskar Prasad of the Aam Aadmi Party. “Have an integrated watershed management programme in place by referring to old maps of the region.”
Residents also stressed on the need to empower ward-level waste management and encouragement of e-governance. A manifesto handed over to the candidates also stressed on empowerment of ward committees.
It stated: “The MLA must attend one committee meeting every month to understand and support projects that need intervention, funding and support by lobbying at appropriate levels.”
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