Bengaluru: Voters of Shivajinagar have a diverse range of opinions when it comes to developmental aspects and infrastructure improvement. One of their complaints is that although the constituency has the Cantonment railway station right in the middle, it is yet to get the metro facility which is much needed considering the number of passengers arriving and departing from the station.
Residents feel that they deserved a lot more and lament that the area has been ignored by politicians and civic bodies like the BBMP and BDA. The roads are narrow creating traffic logjams almost on a daily basis during peak hours. Though road widening has been planned on several important roads, it has not happened says Jacqueline David, a resident of Vasanthnagar.
Ulsoor lake, a major landmark in the constituency, has been left to rot and stink when it should have become a major attraction for Bengalureans trying to escape the summer heat. Residents say that in a foreign country, a vast water body like Ulsoor in the heart of the city would have been used to showcase Bengaluru’s uniqueness as a city of lakes but that has sadly not happened. Mr P. Gopal, a resident of Osborne Road, blames it on the state government, the local MLA and BBMP for failing to utilise the available natural resources.
Vasanthnagar, an upmarket locality, is maintained beautifully except for problems like stagnant water and flooding during the rainy season. On the positive side, it has the best of concrete roads and will also be getting metro connectivity shortly. It also has access to facilities like parks, hospitals, libraries and other social infrastructure, says Bharat Reddy, a resident of Shivajinagar.
Shivajinagar is no doubt the getaway for anyone visiting Bengaluru and eager to get a taste of what life in the IT City is. It faces no major problems because of the efforts put in by elected representatives over the years but a better effort in planning and developing the area would have given this transport cum commercial hub a much better and sophisticated look which sadly has not happened.
