Bengaluru, Oct 15 (NationPress) Residents and taxpayers from the Varthur, Balegere, and Panathur areas, situated near Bengaluru's technology hubs, have addressed a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging that the government first enhance public infrastructure before imposing any taxes.

This letter, dispatched by the Individual Tax Payers Forum (ITPF), has ignited a discussion regarding the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, echoing the concerns raised by leaders in the IT sector and the BJP’s critique of the Congress-led government for allowing the Google AI hub to move to Andhra Pradesh.

The correspondence articulates, "There is an urgent need to address the unscientific and incomplete roadwork, white topping, and drainage issues in the Varthur-Balgere-Panathur region, and we request that the CM instruct the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to refrain from collecting Property Tax until basic public infrastructure is provided to us."

"Namma Bengaluru is recognized worldwide as India’s IT hub. A lackadaisical approach and civic negligence erode the pride and credibility of 'Brand Bengaluru' and must be deemed unacceptable. Over the decades, perceptions have shifted, and we, the citizens of Bengaluru, do not want to hear our city branded as a garbage city, a pothole city, a traffic-jammed city, a city without footpaths, or a city with poor public infrastructure," the forum emphasizes.

"If the GBA persists in disregarding the taxpayers' urgent requests for basic infrastructure, we implore you to direct the GBA to halt property tax collection. Provide us with adequate public infrastructure first, and then you may collect taxes," the forum reiterated.

"We wish to highlight that our families and children are suffering severely due to poor civic infrastructure planning by the Municipal Authorities (BBMP, GBA). We want to bring to your attention the ongoing, half-hearted, unscientific, and poorly coordinated road white-topping and stormwater drainage works in the Varthur Balgere-Panathur area," the forum stated.

"Recently, flooding has become a recurring issue, most notably on October 10th and 11th, due to the lack of a properly connected stormwater drainage system to channel rainwater to bodies of water such as Varthur Lake. Despite your visit to this area on September 27th, municipal officials have once again ignored planning and resorted to shortcuts, resulting in no action," the forum added.

"Instead of prioritizing the completion of the drainage network—essential for road stability—authorities hastily commenced pothole filling and white-topping in Varthur-Balagere-Panathur. Such inadequate measures will lead to the rapid deterioration of newly constructed roads, squandering public funds and taxpayer contributions. The recent repair work on Panathur main road is already showing water accumulation due to poor sloping," the forum highlighted.

The forum concluded by stating that 'Namma Bengaluru' is the brightest jewel in India’s crown. "We sincerely hope your decisive leadership will restore its brilliance through transparent, scientific, and sustainable civic planning. Bengaluru is among the top five states in the nation regarding tax generation for the country's development, and it was once celebrated as a Garden City, a Silicon Valley, and a paradise for retirees."