The Deccan Herald  09.08.2010

Development is a challenge in this ‘sensitive’ ward

Ramesh S Kebbehundi

Multi tasking The corporator is juggling between maintaining communal harmony and implementation developmental works at Kanteerava Narasimharajapura, writes Ramesh S Kebbehundi

During 80s thousands of poor agricultural and landless labourers from several taluks of undivided Mysore district migrated to Mysore City in search of jobs, following severe drought. They found their houses at Kanteerava Narasimharajapura (also called K N Pura under  Kyathamaranahalli East area) as a ‘heavenly abode’ for them as houses were available at very cheap rates. Some built houses on revenue land without bothering about basic amenities like good roads, underground drainage, construction of schools and colleges and burial grounds. In the last 30 years, things have changed little thanks to no initiatives taken by elected representatives and authorities of Mysore City Corporation.

Providing basic facilities for residents, identifying beneficiaries for various schemes extending loans and implementing developmental works have always been a challenge for netas and babus. This is the story of K N Pura that comes under Ward No 60.

The people have elected a teacher who teaches in one of reputed private colleges, for more than two decades.

H N  Srikantaih, former mayor of MCC represents this ward for the third consecutive time. First time, he was elected on independent ticket, second and third time on the JD(S) ticket. Interestingly his wife Shanthakumari got elected from ward in 1995 and worked as deputy mayor. Even today,  the couple are engaged in promotion of educational activities for the benefit of children from  underprivileged classes in this ward. As many as 2,500 children are being educated from nursery to II PU and have even pursued ITI courses in Srikanteshwara School and Educational Institutions. Over 65 expert teachers are providing education to children of poor labourers of this ward.

The population of this ward is around 15,000 of which 9,000 are voters. The  Muslim population is around 60 per cent and rest of them are backward classes.  The residents are engaged in construction works, in garages, run petty businesses and home-makers are eking out living by making agarbathi rolling beedies. Though the area of the ward is comparitively small, it is densely populated. Vehicle riders find it hard to move on the roads at any given point of the day, people are either walking or engaged in animated conversation on the roads.

Another interesting part of this ward is that this is one of the most sensitive wards under MCC. This part of the city has witnessed communal violence and houses were burnt down by the miscreants whenever communal clashes flare up between two communities. Infact, the ward corporator trying his best to balance ‘communal harmony’ and ‘development works’.  The corporator says he distributes benefits of the government without giving room for charges of discrimination.

The area adjacent to Kyathamaranahalli tent, Indira Gandhi road, Srikanteshwara school and Devanur Mahila Sangha region falls under this ward. Unlike other wards of MCC, there are no complaints from public about drinking water as the residents of the ward get Cauvery water from Melapura water pumping station, but there are complaints about release of water timings.     

Sajida of the ward complained about poor underground drainage system. Echoing her words were other residents who have been facing problems during rainy season as water overflows from drainage.

Majority of the residents demanded night patrolling by police as burglary, theft and petty crime cases are on the rise. The residents fear walking after it turns dark, owing to poor security. Mahesh of the ward wanted  the MCC to find solution to solid waste management and set right the roads dug up by JUSCO employees for laying water pipeline works. Siddappa of the ward demanded Government to open graduation Colleges as children of the locality are forced to migrate for the reason.

Speaking to City Herald, Corporator H N Srikantaih told that he has given utmost importance for repair of underground drainage, asphalation of roads, development of Harishchandraghat burial grounds and promotion of educational activities. Besides, hundreds of houses were constructed under Gruhabhagya Yojana for the homeless.