Poor civic services, slums, waterlogging, deplorable services in Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and frequent snarls would be the key election issues in the Bankipore Assembly constituency.

Voters in this constituency are angry over non-fulfilment of promises by previous MLAs such as supply of drinking water from the Ganga and waste collection among others.

The Bankipore constituency comprises ward numbers 5, 7 to 13 and 15 of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC). Its expanse in the north is spread along the banks of the Ganga starting from Rajapur Pul in the west and Patna Science College in the east. Its expanse in the south is up to Sipara along with few areas of Kankerbagh, including Kanti Factory Road.

People come to this part of the city owing to medical services in and around PMCH, higher education at Patna University and markets such as New Market and Bakarganj. "The overall scenario in Bankipore constituency is the same as it was 10 years ago. Nothing much has changed. Snarls continue to be a perennial problem on the streets, most of which are damaged. People throw garbage here and there as there is no waste collections system. Most people depend on motor engine-run-borewell in their houses in the absence of proper water supply system," said Ashok Ghosh, professor-in-charge, department of environment and water management, AN College.

Unplanned development

Areas such as Machua Toli, Lalji Tola, Bhanwar Pokhar, Daldali Road, Bakerganj and Kadamkuan showcase a picture of unplanned development. Houses stand almost stuck to each other with narrow by-lanes and open drains giving invitation to a number of health hazards. The width of the lanes is less 6ft in areas such as Daldali Road and Pirmuhani among others.

"There are many roads, where four-wheelers can't enter, leave apart the question of fire tenders. People constructed houses on small pieces of land, because the commercial value of land is high as it is located in the heart of the city. No emphasis was put on services such as waste collection, sewage and water supply," said Md Alam, a shopkeeper at Sabzibagh.

Waterlogging

Waterlogging is a common complaint from most voters in the Bankipore constituency. From Boring Canal Road and Kidwaipuri up to Kadamkuan and Jakkanpur, residents in majority areas of the constituency have to wade through knee-deep water even after light showers during monsoon.

The promise of construction of sump houses at Kadamkuan, Bhanvar Pokhar and Sandalpur made to the voters by sitting MLA Nitin Navin of the BJP is still to see the light of day. This time also, he has made similar a similar promise. "There are many areas in Bankipore constituency, which have been freed from waterlogging over the past 10 years and I vow to construct a number of sump houses, especially in southern Patna in places such as Lohanipur and Postal Park among others," said Navin.

Poor civic service & slums

The scenario of civic services has not improved much over the past 10 years. A door-to-door waste collection scheme was launched in nine wards of this constituency in January 2010 but the private firm looking after it suspended work in July 2011 owing to a pending payment by PMC. An ambitious round-the-clock water supply scheme entailing funds to the tune of Rs 548 crore also fell prey to red tape. Despite the state government's Bihar State Slum Policy, 2011, slums are rampant in Bankipore constituency in Adalatganj, Sandalpur, Lohanipur, Bhikhna Pahadi, Yarpur, Machua Toli and Nala Road.

Electoral politics

Bankipore seat is a BJP bastion right from 1990. The sitting MLA representing the seat for the second term, won it in 2005 and 2010. Sushil Kumar Modi won from here in 1990, 1995 and 2000.

The Congress has pitted Kumar Ashish from the Bankipore seat in the Assembly elections. "Voters in this constituency feel cheated by BJP leaders, who have been winning from this constituency for the past 25 years. I would be working for better civic services and infrastructure in the constituency such as solutions to waterlogging and drainage," said Ashish.

"I know voters in this constituency are highly satisfied with my work. Around 500 roads and drains were constructed in the last decade. We would be resolving the waterlogging and water supply among other issues after winning the elections," said Navin.