One-time outpost remains poor cousin of city

One-time outpost remains poor cousin of city
The Times of India

Bangalore: Getting past the Krishnarajpuram Railway Station junction was a nightmare a few years ago. The hanging bridge changed it all — easing traffic and bringing K.R. Puram closer to the city.

The improved physical connectivity was expected to not just ease traffic on national highway four but also allow for some of Bangalore’s IT City flavour to rub off on poor cousin K.R. Puram.

But despite the spectacular hanging bridge, a major railway station to boast about, an under-construction improved national highway, improved bus connectivity and several educational institutions, K.R. Puram remains remains removed from Bangalore. Its proximity notwithstanding, the outpost to Bangalore maintains a rural taluk flavour.

A bi-weekly shandy, banned briefly in October 2004 during the beginning of the construction of the six-way national highway, remains one of K.R. Puram’s star attractions.

The main approach roads to the area are a far cry from what exists in its interiors. “The roads in K.R. Puram are a nightmare. They are dusty and pothole-ridden and have not been tarred for nearly five years,’’ says K Ramesh, a resident of the area.

Incidentally, K.R. Puram was one of the municipal councils where large scale misappropriation and misuse of infrastructure funds was detected a couple of years ago following an investigation by the Lok Ayukta.

K.R. Puram remains largely in the grip of former landlords of the area, who continue to exert influence on the area’s development with political and muscle power.

Until recently, the area did not have a piped water supply system and borewells had been dug at every possible spot. Part of K R Puram recently, however, began getting piped water under an initiative of local leaders.

The area is still not a favourite for those looking to buy, build or rent a house, in stark contrast with neighbouring Whitefield.
While a lot more people other than employees of the ITI factory are living in K.R. Puram, this is happening at a trickle, compared to the other former outposts of Bangalore.

K.R. Puram’s increasing claim to fame are, however, the numerous educational institutions — nursing, engineering etc. — popping up in its vicinity, and a railway station that has become a key junction.

Several key trains, apart from the daily push-pulls, touch only K.R. Puram station in Bangalore. The railways have made a Rs 25 lakh outlay to improve facilities at the railway station. Residents can now only hope that the residential portions also receive specialised attention, so that K R Puram can be brought on par with Indiranagar, Jayanagar or Koramangala.