Bengaluru: Angered by what they call "unscientific and incomplete" civic works, residents and taxpayers from Varthur, Balagere, and Panathur have written to chief minister Siddaramaiah, demanding immediate intervention in the ongoing road white-topping and drainage works.The letter, sent by individual tax payers forum (ITPF), a citizens' group on Oct 13 to advocate for taxpayer rights, has urged the chief minister to order Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) not to collect property tax until basic public infrastructure is restored.The forum accused municipal authorities of "poor coordination and short-sighted planning," which they say have left the area's roads, drains, and footpaths in a deplorable state. These half-measures will only waste public funds," the letter said, noting that recently repaired stretches of Panathur Main Road are already showing signs of water stagnation due to improper sloping.Calling Bengaluru "the brightest jewel in the nation's crown," the forum lamented how the city's reputation as a garden city and silicon valley has eroded into being called a "Pothole City" and "Traffic Jam City." "The letter was signed by over a hundred residents and taxpayers from the three localities and was accompanied by photographs showing flooded streets and clogged drains.Box: ITPF's requests to Siddaramaiah:- Order a scientific audit of all ongoing drainage and road works in the area- Ensure completion and interconnection of the stormwater drainage network before road laying- Fix accountability on municipal officials and contractors for negligence- Guarantee good-quality roads and footpaths to ensure pedestrian safety
Author: Nithya.Mandyam
Published at: 2025-10-20 20:44:49
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