Development is always an uphill task for the elected representatives, Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and Mysore Urban Development Authority especially at old residential areas. The instances of stiff resistance from residents to digging roads either for drinking water projects, laying telephone cables, construction of houses, or erection of electric poles.
The netas, especially those elected from old residential areas, are always at the receiving end from the people in implementing development works, thanks to the encroachment or construction of houses on footpath and also on government land. This has prevented many councilors from initiating development works in their respective wards fearing losing the vote bank. Development is easy if residents co-operate with the officials.
In fact, M V Ramprasad, Corporator of Ward number six which comprises old localities, has done justice when it comes to development of his ward. The ward consists of Vidyaranyapuram, Medarakeri, Chamundipuram and Hosabandikeri. It has 13,000 voters out of the total 25,000 population. The area is dominated by middle class and lower middle class families.
Tree plantation
With the co-operation of public, the corporator has successfully planted more than 1,000 saplings of different varieties on footpaths here. Some of them are of honge and neem family. Residents maintain those plants by watering them daily. The intention of massive tree plantation was to improve greenery in the ward, he says with a smile.
Protection for conservancy gullies
Though the majority of conservancies are encroached in many parts, the MCC is making no efforts to remove them. The intention of having the space between two rows of houses was to help maintain hygiene. Now the purpose has been defeated as almost all the conservancies are encroached upon. Residents complained that some vested interests have constructed houses and rear domestic animals converting the same space into cow sheds. They demanded the officials concerned to remove the encroachment and save the public property.
Of six parks in the ward, special attention is given for improvement of ‘Snake Park’ at Vidyaranyapuram. Water and other facilities are made to maintain the fountain inside. Inter-lock tiles have been put on to facilitate the walkers. A platform has been constructed at Subbana park to hold cultural programmes .
The MCC is planning to provide radio for the sake of senior citizens who spend their evening in parks.
The people have absolutely no complaints about the solid waste management. Arrangements are made for door- to- door collection of garbage. Drinking water is supplied from the River Cauvery and bore wells. The residents want the implementation of 24X7 water distribution network to solve the drinking woes permanently.
Ramaprasad told City Herald that attention is given to get sanctioned social security schemes such as widow pension, physically challenged, ‘sandhya suraksha yojana’ and other medical benefits for underprivileged people in his ward. As many as more than 500 persons are covered under these schemes. Besides, steps are taken for improvement of roads, maintenance of storm water drain among other works.