Malleswaram residents hold protest

Bengaluru: Residents of Malleswaram took to the streets on Sunday to protesting against the delay in completion of various works by the BBMP.

A group of around 25 residents had planned to hold a silent protest near the Shivaji statue adjacent to the Sankey Tank. According to Anoop Iyengar, about 50 policemen were already stationed at Bhashyam circle to prevent the gathering.

The policemen reportedly stopped the group before they could reach Sankey Tank. The protestors held banners and stood on the footpath.

They were then arrested and released after 5 pm. The protestors pointed out that the footpath along Sankey road was dug up within four months of laying new pavement.

They also alleged that the contracts for all projects in Malleswaram Assembly Constituency, which is spread across seven wards, are being given to certain contractor(s). “This is why the details are not openly displayed at the work sites,” Anoop Iyengar said, adding that Sankey tank has continuously been under infrastructure projects for over a decade.

“Why is it still not complete even after so many tenders were called,” he questioned. According to the protestors, other projects including work on the Palace Guttahalli stormwater drain, white-topping and other projects have made Malleswaram and surrounding areas inaccessible to senior citizens.

They lamented the lack of proper amenities in the area due to delayed and substandard work. The Vyalikaval Police did not respond to News Trail’s attempts to reach them for comment about the incident.