Bangalore:
A visit to Jal Vayu Vihar apartments in Bangalore comes with a price. Regular visitors to the residential quarters are provided with an entry pass that comes with a monthly fee.
The entry pass was helpful in keeping a check on illegal activities in the apartment. Not even a single theft or mischievous incident took place inside the campus in the past 20 years, claimed Commander HS Satyanarayana, secretary, Jal Vayu Vihar Apartments Owners' Association.
"There were incidents when outsiders entered the campus and created disturbances. About 1,000 residents in the 540 houses are above 60 years and there are a lot of children. So we had to prevent the entry of those who create problems. We are also responsible for the safety and peace of the residents. So, the entry pass was thought to be an ideal solution," he said.
The association members said they were issuing entry passes for car drivers, car washers, domestic helps, and other regular visitors. The monthly fee for each pass is Rs300 for civil work contractors, Rs50 for students, Rs50 for servants, Rs1,200 for vendors and Rs75 for workers like painters, helpers, and carpenters and Rs5 a day for casual workers. The fee is collected from residents.
"The pass contains details like the person's name, address and date of birth. We also keep nearby police stations apprised of these details," said Satyanarayana.
Apart from the fee for entry passes, the apartment association also levies on each resident Rs350 as monthly maintenance charges.
"If somebody pays a lump sum for the whole year, the association gives a 10% discount. In that case, they have to pay only Rs3,750 a year. Where in the country will you find the charge so less? The amount generated is spent on security, maintenance, power generators maintenance, gardening and other things," he said.