Kadal Da Meen, a restaurant at the junction of 22nd Cross and 17th Main Road in Sector 3, HSR Layout, had built a compound wall on the footpath abutting a storm water drain on 22nd Cross. Recently, the BBMP broke the wall to make way for the storm water drain.
However, this box drain work that began more than a year ago from 27th Cross in Sector 2 continues to get interrupted for one or the other reason. In addition, the entire route is unscientific as it goes through low-lying areas of Sector 3 that leads to flooding of homes when it rains.
In such a scenario, taking the box drain from 27th Cross to 19th Main would have been the most apt thing to do as it would have cost less time and money. This is one of the scams of HSR Layout. And you can watch more of that in the video below…
The residents are fed up of commercial establishments coming up on residential roads. It is illegal to have any commercial outlet on roads that are 40 feet and less. On roads wider than 40 feet, BBMP decides on what can be completely commercial and what can be mixed use. However, the commercial business owners either don’t know the law or they are willingly violating the law.
NAMING AND SHAMING
We asked residents to name some such establishments in HSR that they feel are a nuisance in their neighbourhoods. We also noticed some commercial operators in HSR Layout. We urge the BBMP officials to take immediate action or risk suspension or worse for dereliction of duty.
The Hall of Shame list is as follows:
Gopi Technologies, 16th Main Road, 22nd Cross, Sector 3
Braceport Dentistry, 15th B Main, 21st Cross, Sector 3
The half a dozen preschools on 16th Cross between 14th and 15th Main.
A spa on 11th Cross, 17th B Main, Sector 4
The list is endless… We will continue to add names to this list as and when our readers send us the details.
ROLE OF MEDIA AND CIVIC ACTIVISTS
The only way the BBMP is made to do its job is when the residents protested and forced shutdowns or the local media like us took it up and began a consistent campaign, be it for bad roads or restaurants operating in basements which is a fire hazard. The residents shut down a rooftop pub that was coming up in Sector 4, a restaurant in Sector 1 and a proposed mall in Sector 3. When this channel highlighted a shed coming up on 19th Cross in Sector 3, it was eventually demolished by the site owner after the BBMP officials surprisingly refused to give permission for commercial use. Similarly, they demolished another shed in Sector 5 as it was another violation.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
We urge the residents to first understand the law about not having commercial outlets on roads that are 40 feet and less. After all, the owners of commercial establishments in HSR Layout are either residing somewhere here or outside HSR, but very much in India. Therefore, it’s important that they know the law. Just because there is one illegality does not mean they can violate the law. As one resident put it so succinctly: “Those who violate the law are nati-national. I would even brand them as terrorists.” Right indeed, because commercial outlets cause noise, and air pollution in addition to parking problems and generating far too much waste, in addition to stressing the narrow sanitary lines, cauvery water connections and electricity loads.
This should not to be confused with people who work out of homes. They are by themselves and do not employ anybody to add to the stresses of commercialisation that we mentioned earlier. In fact, if half the people in the world work out of home, the roads will be far less congested and the pollution will come down automatically. So we should thank people who work from home. They are doing their bit for the environment.
APATHETIC GOVT AGENCIES
The worse part is that the BBMP does not take any action, despite being alerted about it. When one resident asked a civic official to take action, the person said that the residents have to write a letter to them. Why is that? So they are targetted by the commercial establishment? When this news channel writes about illegalities in HSR Layout, the BBMP officials give out our editor’s name. It’s as if we are the law here and they are obeying our dictat. Clearly, the BBMP officials have no will or courage to follow the letter of the law. Some residents have no problems being identified as the complainants, but it’s unfair to corner a few civic activists when they are fighting a larger public cause.
QUESTION OF PRIVACY
Recently, residents elsewhere in Bangalore petitioned the BBMP to take complaints from them without revealing their names to anyone. They wanted the civic agency to maintain their confidentiality. We would add that this should apply to the cops as well. But both the agencies blatantly violate the privacy rules and blurt out the person or people responsible for their legal action, complain residents.
The question is why should either the BBMP or the cops give away names of complainants when the illegalities are a public offence, not private. One cop confided that they are too small to go against the larger commercial interests, particularly when every other individual is ‘highly connected’. Therefore, they blurt out names of resident welfare associations, the media and civic activists to make a stronger case. Such is the delivery of justice in society today.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW?
Therefore, dear reader, if you spot a commercial establishment on a 40 feet road, take a picture, WhatsApp it to us (+919880585748) with the right address and we will add that name to this list, so the BBMP is forced to take action on them. Do not forget to inform us when the civic agency indeed takes action and shuts down the illegal outlets. In addition, it’s also important that you complain to the relevant agencies, so that your complaints are officially recorded as well. For BBMP cases, download the BBMP Sahaaya mobile app or visit the website of BBMP Sahaaya and register your complaint without registering yourself. Remember, each of us can make a better world. Just blaming the netas, the business people and the officials will not do. We are as much to blame for doing nothing about the illegalities all around us. As one resident put it: “Break away. Stand up for what is right, and all will be well in this world.”
If the smell in Somasundrapalya, Hosapalya and Kudlu is unbearable, thanks to the smell emanating from the composting plant, Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC), it’s just about bearable in HSR Layout. The stink affects different areas at different points in time, depending on the wind direction and also when the KCDC staff turn over the compost heap. That’s when the stink gets worse. And yes, the smell becomes all pervading and reaches up to Hosur Road and Nice Road, when it rains rhinos. This smell is usually in the evening and night, between 6pm and 12pm. That’s when either the heap is being turned over at KCDC, or the rain gods have smiled. So if you sense a horrible smell, the moment you step out of your homes in the evenings, you know it’s the KCDC to blame.
Fighting for the closure of the plant for over three years, the residents living in the immediate vicinity of the plant, in Kudlu, Somasundrapalya, Hosapalya and Sector 2 of HSR Layout, are planning to relocate. Efforts to reach out to the ruling government, both past and present, have resulted in everything but closure. The daily tonnage was brought down from 500 to 100 tonnes, but the stink remains, and so does the ground water contamination.
The residents are not just complaining of nausea, skin and throat allergies, but also persistent headaches due to the stink for over three years. Spraying lemon grass is doing little to contain the smell. KCDC’s efforts to compost within a contained facility failed several times. Additional expenses to make it a scientifically-run establishment did not work either. Instead, it polluted the nearby Somasundrapalya Lake that it also encroached for its operations. Now, the encroached area is being given back to the BBMP by the KCDC, so that the lake can be rejuvenated.
Over a year ago, MLA Sathish Reddy had proclaimed on social media that the KCDC plant will be shutdown soon. Before that, Rajeev Chandrashekar had made his appearance, just before the general elections, and promised all help. But nothing so far even though the BJP is in power now. Left with no other option, the residents have filed a Public Interest Litigation in court.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
In the meanwhile, the BBMP and social activists are educating people about the benefits of home composting, so plants like KCDC need not exist. Only the dry waste can be collected from homes by the BBMP, which again is recycled by entities like ITC. The kitchen and other wet waste can be turned into compost using several simple solutions available in the market. They are called by different names, but you could just search for ‘composters’ and you will come across enough products to choose from. Go through the reviews and pick the one that works best for you.
To get a practical demonstration of all the home composting solutions at home, head to Swachagraha Kalika Kendra in Sector 4, behind the petrol bunk near HSR flyover. They have a separate section meant to teach you on just this subject.
Here is some money-saving tip for consumers. By law, no shop can charge you for carrybags. A recent ruling by a consumer court has much to say about this rule.
The story goes that Dinesh Parshad Raturi was made to pay Rs 3 for a carrybag when he shopped at a Bata showroom. Upset with this deficiency of service, he reported the matter to the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Chandigarh.
After the arguments were heard, the court ruled that Bata was indeed guilty of unfair trade practice as they were not supposed to charge any money for the carrybag.
The court’s justification went something like this, and it is important for us to note why Bata was fined. The court judge said that the consumer used a carrybag that sported the Bata logo and gave free publicity to the company. In addition, the bag was essential to packing of the shoes, and therefore it was wrong for the store to charge the customer separately for it.
The consumer court has ordered Bata India to give away carrybags without charging a dime to all their patrons across the country. In this case, the court ordered Bata to pay back Rs 3 and Rs 3000 as compensation for the stress and Rs 1000 as costs. In addition, Bata India was fined Rs 5000, an amount that had to be remitted in the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the court.
Therefore, the next time you step out to shop, know your rights. You don’t have to pay for the carrybag. And if the shops in the malls or standalone stores charge you, file a case in the consumer forum. Also remember that the carrybags cannot be plastic. They have to be paper or cloth bags.
When Veenish Kumar realised that Dreamz Infra India Pvt. Ltd, a company whose founders were based out of HSR Layout failed to furnish proper land documents to him, he asked for a refund. When nothing happened, he approached the consumer court. Recently, the consumer court ruled that the builder pay up Rs 12.5 lakh deposit money to Veenish and Rs 10,000 as compensation for all the trouble.
The story goes that Dreamz Infra had not given Veenish the proper papers on the land they had allotted to him. This was revealed by Veenish’s lawyers who found that the property documents were fake. Heeding to the advice, Veenish cancelled his booking order with Dreamz.
In court, he alleged that the company agreed that the documents given to him about their project called Dreamz GK Saakaar were false. However, he also contended that the builders refused to give back his money. What’s more, they apparently threatened him with dire consequences if he does not stop asking for a refund.
Left with no other option, Veenish approached the Bangalore Second Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. Hearing his arguments and finding enough proof to fault the company, the court ordered Dreamz Infra India to repay Veenish’s money in addition to Rs. 10,000 as penalty.
However, whether he will get his money remains to be seen as Dreamz Infra is mired in controversy for the last two years. So far, over 18,000 people have come forward to accuse the company of cheating them of their money ranging from Rs 1 lakh-60 lakh. And it is not just Dreamz Infra (set up in 2011) that the founder Sachin Naik is accused of. He allegedly scammed people under the name of two other companies, TGS Construction set up in 2013 and Gruha Kalyan in 2014. Sachin Naik is also known by other names: Sumanth Kumar Das and Yogesh Choudhary.
Said to have high-level political links, Sachin apparently escaped for years before 1000 victims came together under the banner of Ekadanta Association and conducted four separate protests outside the CID office early this year. Chargesheeted and arrested, Sachin is out on bail, and so is his former wife Disha Chowdhary. However, his other wives Mandeep Kaur and Mazumdar Shathaparni are still absconding, according to police sources.
Naik and the others are accused of forgery, cheating and violating the provisions of the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishment Act 2004.
Make the most of the Gandhi Jayanthi holiday tomorrow (Oct 2) by taking part in one or more events planned by the residents and organisations in HSR Layout.
DAAN UTSAV If you want to donate your belongings, be part of the ‘Daan Utsav’ (Joy of Giving) by Goonj. The collection drive is to help the millions of families affected by the recent floods. They include children’s clothes, school material, dry ration items, woollen clothes and utensils. Remember to contribute materials that are in good condition. Monetary contributions are also welcome. You can pay via PayTM to the following numbers: 94480-63776 or 99862-03156. Or you can give the money when you are handing over stuff.
The collection drive is on Oct 2 and Oct 3 between 4pm and 6pm at:
Nagarjuna Greenridge apartment, 19th Main, Sector 2. For details, call Anju at 95355-09933.
Mahaveer Seasons club house, next to Shop On, 24th Main, Sector 2. Contact Lalitha at 94480-63776.
TREE PLANTATION & CULTURAL EVENING Swabhimaana Tree Park in Sector 3 on 15th B Main, 21st Cross is hosting a tree plantation drive at 7am on Oct 2. The same day at 5pm, there is a cultural evening organised by the residents to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
Another tree plantation drive is being organised by the Bandepalya Police at Shubhodini School Grounds near Bandepalya police station in Sector 3. The chief guest will be Isha Pant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East). The event will happen between 9am and 11am.
Days after the residents had petitioned the Deputy Chief Minister to sanction a skywalk in front of Mantri Sarovar apartments on Outer Ring Road, it is now known that the BBMP had already called for short-term tenders for 39 skywalks across the city. And it includes the one that the residents demanded in Sector 4. The proposed skywalks will be on a ‘design, build, finance, operate and transfer’ (DBFOT) basis for a concession period of 30 years.
Interestingly, when the residents raised this issue in front of the Deputy CM, both the local corporator and MLA were unaware of the BBMP tender announcement in the papers two months ago. This goes to show the extent of cluelessness that our elected representatives possess.
In any case, it’s a good thing that the long-awaited skywalk will soon come up in the area, complete with escalators and staircases. The idea was abandoned with the announcement of the Metro. However, now that the Metro is going to take many more years, the skywalk has been sanctioned. In addition, there are ways to let both the skywalk and the upcoming Metro co-exist. It’s just the height and alignment of the metro and skywalk.
Now the residents want to know when the skywalk in Sector 5 will come up. This is the planned one at the end of the BDA flyover on Outer Ring Road. The project hit a hump when IMA scam surfaced as they were the primary sponsors of the skywalk.
Innovator and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, the real life Phunsukh Wangdu of Aamir Khan-starrer ‘3 Idiots’ will be in town this weekend. Catch him at the Bhoomi International Conference whose theme is ‘In Search of Wellbeing’.
Sonam is just one among 15 pioneers and practitioners (see the image above) who are coming to inspire and motivate you. Make the most of this two-day affair from Sept 28-29 at Koramangala’s Satya Sai Convention Centre.
Some of the topics that educators and parents can listen in would include issues like climate change, safe food, economics, education and sustainability.
Be part of this enriching and meaningful conference. Take your kids along.
Walkathon 5K Closer home, NH Narayana Hospital is organising this run this Sunday (Sept 29) at 6am. If you want to walk for a healthy heart, this is what you should on your day off from work.
The location is the hospital in Sector 3 opposite HSR Club off 22nd Cross, 18th Main. Register now by calling 88849-49797 or 95139-65190. This event is organised to commemorate World Heart Day that falls on Sept 29. It’s all for the heart. Be there.
A tiring day spent rushing through the dull monotony of everyday life. You return home in anticipation of your comfy blankets and warm food. Within the safe comforts of a healing home, you prepare to doze off for a few blissful minutes.
BUZZZ.
And there goes your peace. One stray mosquito that keeps buzzing all over the place. One that prepares to zoom in and bite when you are right about to sleep off. You try swatting it but it is always cleverer and much faster than you. Soon, they multiply and continue their onslaught in huge swarming numbers.
Frustrating hours meant for peace and quiet. Successfully failing swats. The intense fear of using chemical repellents. The desire to protect your body and mind.
Herbal Strategi brings you an exclusive range of Mosquito repellent products that aims to keep away the pesky little pests while also keeping you safe from harmful side-effects.
This room spray is unlike any other as it comes with multiple benefits. Use the spray under your beds, in narrow crevices and other hotspots of mosquito breeding. Apart from keeping the mosquitoes away, they also spread the room with an airy fragrance just like a typical room spray. They do more than just freshening the room with an exotic aroma. The most annoying little tyrant, the mosquito is also kept away.
Herbal Strategi Mosquito Repellent Body Spray (Mospray)
Mosquitoes are a form of trouble that extends far beyond the confines of your home. It might be during the long-drawn minutes of a boring bus ride or an animated dinner night with your family – mosquitoes can come from anywhere at any time. It is not possible to use a coil or a swatter when you are out for an occasion. So Herbal Strategi has introduced a specially-designed mosquito repellent body spray which can be used anytime you travel outside. Not only does it keep the mosquitoes away, but also acts as a safe alternative to all the harmful chemical products available in the market.
Incense sticks are quite a popular feature in all our homes. Used as a means of freshening the air on a hopeful morning, we find them during prayers and chants to signify new beginnings. But what if they could keep away the nuisance of mosquitoes too? We introduce our Herbal Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks which performs the dual role of eradicating mosquitoes from your place while also infringing an aromatic peace within your homes, gardens and patios.
Herbal Strategi Mosquito Vaporizer (Mosrelief)
Plug-in electronic vaporizers have been the rage among all the methods invented to eliminate mosquitoes. A college student’s funky room or the calming interiors of a formal office, the huge comforters and freshly made beds while you sleep – Vaporizers find a place everywhere. Little do we know of the detrimental effects caused by those chemical vaporizers on human health. Juvenile asthma and premature respiratory illnesses occur due to the prolonged exposure to these chemicals. To make people aware of this danger and help them switch to healthier options, we introduce our own Vaporizer that consists of natural ingredients only.
Herbal Strategi Mosquito Repellent Oil
The tactics to keep away the ever-present mosquitoes have become easier and much more innovative with time. Herbal Strategi’s mosquito repellent oil requires you to add 8-9 drops of the oil into a small vessel with 30ml water. This small task when repeated everyday produces natural fumes that is toxic to the mosquitoes only. Free of side-effects and chemicals, they can be used in the heaviest breeding places in and around your home.
Now citizens have a way to put BBMP in the dock at the Karnataka High Court. Following its recent public notification about two apps (BBMP Sahaaya and Fix My Street) for reporting faults in the civic infrastructure, it is expected that they might work better than before. However, civic experts don’t want to take this for granted. Koramangala resident Vijayan Menon who had filed a writ petition about the state of roads in Bangalore is asking every Bangalorean to try out these apps and point out any faults they notice through screenshots and mail him.
The reason why he’s doing this? “The nature of closing the complaints and quality of work will continue to be suspect,” he says.
So here is what he needs from you to support the court case:
1. Use these apps to register complaints (there is a photo uploading facility in the ‘Fix My Street’ app). 2. Keep track of the process and closing. 3. See if responsibility is fixed on to the specific BBMP official. 4. Check on the quality of work. If the quality is crappy, repost on the app, saying that the quality is slipshod. 5. Keep screenshots at various times for submitting to court. 6. Circulate this info/directions to the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in your area to widen the base. 7. Give your experience of using these apps and suggestions on improving them.
“If we get around 10 instances /cases, we can present them in court,” he says. “If the process works, it’s well and good. If it does not, then we will have to ask for fresh orders. We will also have to move towards work quality, contractor accountability, ward committee responsibility, and turn around times.”
