The Deccan Herald 20.10.2010
Civic problems plague Darga Mohalla
Chikkaballapur, October 19, DHNS:
Overflowing gutters, clogged drains and narrow roads have become the hallmarks of Darga Mohalla ward in the City.
The locality, inhabited predominantly by labour class has not been given due attention by the local administration. The ward encompasses the area from Third Cross of Mahatma Gandhi Road up to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation depot. People of all communities have been leading a life of peaceful coexistence in the locality which has a mosque and Dharamayaraswamy temple.
A major portion of the ward comprises a slum, where porters, construction workers and other labourers reside.
To supplement their meagre income, the family members have taken up home industries. The locality has three schools - Government Higher Primary School, Urdu School and a private English medium school.
The local administration has turned a nelson’s eye to the civic problems plaguing this ward. Drains overflowing right in front of houses have become potential breeding ground for epidemics.
Children playing in front of the houses are more vulnerable to contract diseases. The narrow lanes have compounded the problem for any development project.
APL cards issued
Majority of the people in the area reside in temporary sheds. The council has issued title deeds and created khata in respect of selected properties. While the inhabitants appear to be below poverty line, they have been issued Above Poverty Line (APL) cards, thus depriving them of their legitimate entitlements of foodgrains at concessional rates.
The residents complained that their repeated pleas to Municipality president and commissioner went in vain.
“The officials conducting survey for issue of ration cards do not consider our answers to their queries.
They blindly issue Above Poverty Line cards. But we are unable to purchase foodgrains with APL cards as they cost more,” Salma, a homemaker said.
The only relief is that the acute drinking water shortage in the area has been redressed by sinking borewells. The residents appealed the authorities to take steps to improve roads.
Poor cooperation
Bibi Jan, the councillor representing the ward said the cooperation of the City Municipality and other authorities concerned was indispensable to ameliorate the plight of
residents.
She said garbage was being lifted once seven days, that too after repeated pleas. She alleged discrimination in addressing the problems faced by the ward.
CM fund
The councillor said of the Rs 30 lakh released from Chief Minister’s Fund, Rs 15 lakh will be used for improving roads and drainage.
Further development projects would be easier once the work on drainage and road is completed, she said.
