Cycle Day, HSR Federation, garbage mafia, pig menace & more stories

Cycle Day turns 3 in HSR

Last month, Cycle Day turned three years in HSR. We congratulate the HSR Cyclists Forum for making it a success by putting their best pedal forward. Every third Sunday of the month, keep yourself free between 6.30am and 10.30am. The venue is always 18th Main, 22nd Cross in Sector 2. It’s fun on the run out here every month. From playing ‘tug of war’ to zumba, skipping, hopping and going on group cycle rides to taking part in stretching sessions and rolling a wheel, it’s the best kids and parents’ day out. So head there this October 15th and indulge yourself.

HSR Federation has new faces
The Federation of HSR Layout Residents Welfare Association has new office bearers after the elections held last month. Sector 7 resident BNR Reddy returns as chairman after a gap of two years. HE Chandrashekar (Sector 2) is the new Secretary General while Bhadra Reddy (Sector 3) is Vice Chairman and Jayalaxmi (Sector 6) is the Treasurer. Welcome to all of them. Their work is cut out and HSR residents need all the help and support they can offer. The Federation was on the job within a few days. The office bearers submitted a memorandum to CM when he visited HSR Layout to inspect the damage caused by incessant rains. This was followed by another visit by BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Reddy where the Federation apprised him of the hapless situation.

Other RWAs migrate to Telegram
After Residents Watch migrated from Whatsapp to Telegram, the core committee of KCDC and the Sector 1 Residents Welfare Association have followed suit.
The merits of Telegram are many, but the most important is that you can have up to 10,000 members in your group unlike Whatsapp’s 256 limitation.
What’s more, the admin can delete unnecessary messages from everyone’s phones and keep the group, neat and clean. And the members can also edit or delete the messages they have already posted.

Want to become a traffic warden?
Just visit the traffic police station in Iblur, fill up a form and submit it. If you have any doubts, call Yaduvar at 87927-90631.

Volunteer for charity
The Rainbow Learning Centre at Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in Sector 4 is looking for volunteers. They need to commit one to two hours a week on weekdays for teaching life skills to intellectually-challenged adults in yoga, craft and Bollywood dance. Call Radhika at 98453-69872. The Rainbow Learning Centre is an initiative of PADA (Parents Association for Differently abled adults).

Pig menace continues…

Sector 2 and 3 are notorious for pigs. The residents of 26th cross and 27th cross close to Mangammanapalya and Yellukunte government school are the most affected. It’s not just pigs but also the mafia behind pig herding that should be caught and punished, say residents. If you are suffering from pigs, call BBMP contractor Ravi at 94481-14940.

Residents protest against garbage mafia

HSR residents joined other citizen activists in the city and staged a protest against garbage contractors last month at Town Hall. They later met city development minister KJ George and submitted a petition. Their move was prompted by the indefinite strike by the garbage contractors who were opposed to the BBMP and state government’s idea of introducing biometrics to monitor the sweepers and wire transfer their salaries. “This will eliminate ghost workers,” says Dr Shanthi T. “They are also opposed to GPS which will help in monitoring the garbage autos and the efficiency of the drivers and helpers.” In addition, the BBMP plans to introduce mechanical sweeping. “This will keep the streets dust-free and ensure the safety of workers.”

Another PIL on BBMP Grounds?
If things aren’t set right, civic activist RS Murthy is requesting the Sector 2 RWA to file yet another court case against the rampant misuse of the BBMP Grounds in Sector 2 for non-sports related activities. Despite several requests to the BBMP, corporator and MLA, the grounds are being used for anything and everything. From cultural nights to religious and political functions, the scene after these functions is horrendous. Not to mention, the garbage, noise pollution and parking issues. “Why is commercialisation allowed here? This is not a place for entertainment and festivities,” says Murthy. “All the resident welfare associations fought in court for five years to take it back from the judges and what’s happening? Please don’t let it set a bad precedent.”

Call for any civic complaints?
If your streetlight isn’t working, sms and call Abhishek. In case, that does not work, send a message to the sector-specific social network, so the civic activists in the group can take it up with the concerned officials. Abhishek’s number is 91640-09891. And if you know someone who needs this number, pass it on. Similarly, if you have any other BBMP related complaints and the local officials aren’t responding to them, escalate the problem to the BBMP Control Room for Bommanahalli at 080-25732447, 918025730923, 918025735642. If that doesn’t help, contact the mayor’s office (08022975501) or mayor (96630-00002).

Cheap cycle rentals in HSR soon

Following the successful trial of the public bicycle sharing (PBS) system in Mysore, the state government has decided to replicate it in HSR Layout, Banaswadi, HRBR Layout, HBR Layout and Kacharakanahalli. At a cost of Rs 80 crore, this project could take off early next year. Unlike the existing cycle rentals, these are cheaper. In fact, the first one hour is free. For two hours, it’s only Rs 5. For three hours, it’s Rs 10 and so on. For more details on Trin Trin, log on to www.mytrintrin.com. Happy cycling.

Robbed when out of town
Sector 3 resident Deepak S says, “Last month, our neighbour’s home on 23rd B cross was robbed. Looks like the robbers kept a close watch and robbed at night. They broke the strong grill door and the main door. The family had gone out of town only the previous night. A police complaint was lodged. There are houses on the first floor and also surrounding it, but the robbery went un-noticed because of the rains perhaps.” Deepak has a few words of caution. “Don’t lock the door from outside because that’s a clear indication for the robbers,” he says. “And also keep the lights on.”

Illegal floors galore

Houses like the one here on 21st Cross in Sector 3 are innumerable in HSR. It’s amazing how the BBMP officials can be turning a blind eye to such violations. Only houses that are ground plus two floors are allowed. And if there’s parking on the ground floor, then three floors are permitted above. All the illegal floors should be demolished to deter the others from coming up. Will the Joint Commissioner act?