Black spots gone, it's a new Frazer Town!

People expect civic authorities to keep their city clean and assume that once they pay their taxes and exercise their franchise during civic polls, their duty is over. However, a group of citizens in Fraser Town have not stopped at this and have decided to take things into their hands by fixing black spots and raising awareness on the need to keep the surroundings clean. Fraser Town Residents’ Welfare Association has so far beautified 12 black spots, reports Y. Maheswara Reddy.

Generally, most residents in Bengaluru look up to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike authorities’ to redress their grievances or fix infrastructure-related problems. They seldom come forward to join hands with the BBMP authorities to make their respective areas neat and clean.

However, around 180 residents of Fraser Town have been striving hard to make the BBMP authorities fix infrastructure-related problems in their locality. The residents have formed Fraser Town Residents’ Welfare Association (FTRWA) in 2016 to ensure basic amenities, including cleanliness in their neighbourhood.

“Our first goal was to beautify black spots that became a nuisance for the residents. Storm water drain on Moore Road was in a pathetic condition. People used to throw garbage into the storm water drain. We, in association with the BBMP health department, have cleared garbage from the storm water drain and covered the drain to prevent people from throwing garbage into the drain,” said Saud Dastagir, treasurer, FTRWA.

The members of FTRWA follow a five-step approach to get rid of black spots in Fraser Town. “We not only clear garbage and debris from black spots, but also create awareness among the people residing near such black spots. We explain to them the importance of keeping the surroundings clean,” said Dastagir.

Expressing concern over the BBMP authorities’ failure in keeping Fraser Town clean, Khaiser Ahmed GS, vice president of FTRWA, has said the association members have succeeded to some extent in ensuring cleanliness at a few black spots. “We are expecting ongoing developmental works to be completed as early as possible. We will continue to beautify black spots in the area,” said Ahmed.

Till date, the FTRWA members have beautified 12 black spots at different locations such as Moore Road, M.M. Road, Buddha Vihar Road, Wheeler Road, Elephants Park, and Mosque Road. “We have succeeded in convincing beggars to keep clean the pavement near Hajee Sir Ismail Sait Masjid,” said Dastagir with a smile, adding that FTRWA volunteers have played a key role in barricading pits dug up on at Coles Road to avoid people from falling into these pits.

Expressing happiness for being part of the FTRWA, Jyothi Dilip, organizing secretary, has said the condition of Fraser Town was very bad before formation of the FTRWA. “The BBMP never has done asphalting properly. Ongoing developmental works are progressing at a snail’s pace,” she said.