Infrastructure woes cry out for resolution in Dasarahalli constituency

A majority of the Peenya Industrial Area, touted as one of the largest industrial areas, falls within the limits of the Dasarahalli Assembly constituency. A large number of the voters in the constituency are those who have migrated from rural areas, including northern parts of the State, in search of jobs.

A majority of the Peenya Industrial Area, touted as one of the largest industrial areas, falls within the limits of the Dasarahalli Assembly constituency. A large number of the voters in the constituency are those who have migrated from rural areas, including northern parts of the State, in search of jobs.

After the formation of the constituency in 2008, BJP’s candidate S. Muniraju was elected from the constituency in 2008 and 2013. In the previous elections (2018), R. Manjunath from JD(S) defeated him with a margin of over 10,000 votes.

Mr. Muniraju says that an “internal deal” between JD(S) and Congress had worked against him in the previous elections. In the forthcoming elections, incumbent MLA Manjunath is again fighting the election as a JD (S) candidate, and the Congress party has fielded G. Dhananjaya. Mr Kirthan Kumar Manjappa is contesting from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Owners of the small-scale industries in Peenya and residents of the constituency say that their woes continue to remain unaddressed.

Manjunath H., president of Peenya Industries Association, said, “We have been demanding a township for the industry along the lines of ELCITA in Electronics City. There are thousands of small-scale industries providing employment to 12 lakh people. Annually, these units pay ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 crore to the governments in taxes. But owners of the industrial units continue to struggle for good roads, electricity and water supply.”

Ganesh Kumar, a resident of Hegganahalli, said, “Over the years, the traffic congestion has increased in the area. Motorists using Magadi Road, Outer Ring Road and Tumkur Road are facing problems daily. There are no good feeder services to connect to the metro station located on Tumakuru Road. Providing an affordable bus transport system will help lakhs of people working in the area.”

Motorists using Tumakuru Road continue to face traffic snarls as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) continues to prohibit entry of heavy vehicles on the Peenya flyover. Residents of the area are also demanding government-run schools, super-speciality hospitals and development of parks.