Date:19/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101921890300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Minister pays surprise visit to many areas

Staff Reporter

Heaps of garbage, debris at several areas irk Ashok

Two BMP officials suspended for not clearing garbage

Minister inspects Madivala and a slum in Jayanagar IX Block

MIDNIGHT KNOCK ON BMP: Minister for Health R. Ashok (right) walks past a person sleeping on the road at Indira Gandhi slum in Jayanagar IX Block, during his surprise visit on Wednesday night in Bangalore. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Bangalore Urban District in-charge R. Ashok on Wednesday night paid surprise visit to some areas in the city. J.C. Nagar was his first destination where he found garbage dumped on the road.

Citizens complained that the garbage was not being cleared regularly and the drains in the area were clogged.

The Minister took the BMP Health Department officials to task over the issue. He suspended two officials on the spot.

Mr. Ashok then visited Jayamahal where he found that private builders had dumped debris on Bore Bank Road. Suryakantharao, corporator of the area, said that debris was dumped after 2 a.m.

Road cutting

Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner K. Jairaj, who accompanied the Minister, found a few people digging the road at Shoolay Circle. On enquiry, he found that Bharat Electronics had commissioned the road cutting for laying the cables for a traffic signal light. Mr. Jairaj said the company would be fined Rs. 5 lakh and directed the officials to seize the equipment.

Mr. Ashok was appalled at the conditions prevailing at Madivala market. He questioned the BMP officials who were present on the occasion.

Madivala market

The officials said the area was slushy and water stagnated at several places because fish sellers used water to keep their stock fresh. The Minister said the officials should spray DDT to make sure that it did not become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that could spread dengue.

Mr. Jairaj said steps should be taken to shift the market. The Minister said BMP should co-ordinate with the police and Jayanagar MLA R. Ramalinga Reddy and shift the market.

The Indiragandhi slum at Jayanagar IX Bock was his next destination. There he found a water tank in state of disuse. Shanthamma, a resident, said the tank could be demolished because every house in the slum had sanitary connection.