Bengaluru, July 25 : Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, on Saturday accused the Karnataka government of turning Bengaluru into a â??dust cityâ?? despite its repeated promises of creating a 'Brand Bengaluru', alleging that prolonged civic works have severely inconvenienced residents in several parts of the city.

In a statement, Ashoka said that drinking water and underground drainage pipeline works in areas such as Nagenahalli Road and Shivashankar Block in Hebbal constituency were going on even after nearly a year since they began.

He alleged that the negligence of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has forced residents to endure dust and poor road conditions on a daily basis.

According to Ashoka, businesses in the affected areas have suffered significantly due to the prolonged works, while senior citizens are finding it difficult to even step out onto the roads. He also claimed that drinking water pipelines have been damaged at several locations, adding to the hardships faced by local residents.

â??While the government speaks about building a â??Brand Bengaluru,â?? it has in reality transformed the city into a â??dust city',â?? Ashoka said, questioning whether causing inconvenience to citizens in the name of development has become the government's achievement.

The BJP leader further criticized the state government, alleging that neither the Bengaluru Development Minister nor the local MLA had shown the courtesy of listening to the grievances of the people.

Ashoka urged Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to immediately intervene, set a deadline for the completion of the pending works, restore damaged roads, and ensure that the difficulties faced by citizens are addressed without further delay.

Ashoka further criticised the Karnataka government over the alleged mismanagement of special darshan arrangements at the historical Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru, accusing authorities of making devotees wait for several hours despite charging them for expedited entry.

Ashoka alleged that devotees were charged Rs 2,000 each for "special quick darshan" with the promise of completing the process within 20 minutes. However, he claimed that devotees were later made to stand in queues for four to five hours, allegedly due to the arrival of VIPs.

â??What kind of administration is this? Devotees are asked to pay Rs 2,000 for special darshan and promised entry within 20 minutes, only to be left waiting for four to five hours for VIP visits,â?? Ashoka said.

He questioned who would take responsibility for the hardships faced by elderly devotees, women, and families visiting the temple with young children.

The BJP leader also targeted Mysuru district in-charge minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that while the government is keen on collecting money from devotees, it has failed to ensure a dignified and timely darshan experience.

â??Ashadha month draws lakhs of devotees seeking the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Respecting their religious sentiments is the responsibility of the government. Making ordinary devotees wait for hours in the name of VIP culture is highly condemnable,â?? he said.

Ashoka urged the government to ensure a transparent, timely, and respectful darshan system at the temple and warned against â??playing with the administration of religious institutions.â??

â??People will never accept an administration that undermines the faith of devotees in the presence of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the state,â?? he added.

/IANS