Sector 3 park being handed over from BDA to BBMP; much more needs to be done

The Swabhimaana Tree Park on 15th B Main, 19th Cross, Sector 3, is being handed over from the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The park that saw an investment of Rs 5 crore is still a work in progress. The water outlets coming on to the roads are improperly designed. They let water out on to the road instead of the drains, which could flood the homes in low-lying areas. The main entrance  of the park resembles a swimming pool when it rains heavily as there is no proper elevation and shoulder drain that can take the rainwater into the stormwater drain that runs along its boundary.

The lights are not properly installed across the park, particularly near the sand pit and play areas. The play area still needs much sand as the contractor had dumped red soil instead of sand earlier. Much more sand needs to be put to avoid the children from soiling their clothes and causing air pollution in the neighbourhood when the winds kick up the red soil.

The unscientific speakers are another issue with the neighbours complaining that the music played in the wee hours is making them wake up sooner than they should. What’s worse is that the music continues to be played from 6am to 10am. Even the police department cannot give permission to any public place to play music continuously every day for that long. It’s air pollution of the highest kind, particularly to those living on 15th B Main, as the speakers are closest to this road. After much protest by the residents, the high decibels were reduced, but on some days, it goes back to being loud. The residents are hoping that the BBMP removes the speakers altogether and ensures there is peace and serenity all around and there is no violation of the noise pollution norms.

The residents are also demanding that the 21st A Cross Road be connected to 15th B Main as that would offload much of the traffic being seen on 15th B Main alone. With two wheelers and cars parked all along 15th B Main, there is a traffic jam every evening, and more so on weekends.

The amphitheatre should not allow any organisers to use loudspeakers as that would again pollute the neighbourhood. The stadium seating of the amphitheatre is meant to ensure that the sound carries to everyone without the use of amplifiers. And even if a loudspeaker is required, it should be below 50 decibels and only sound boxes (not open-to-air loudspeakers) should be used, not those hand-held loudspeakers.