TIMES CIVIC — 5: Basavanagudi

TIMES CIVIC — 5
Watch your step on Basavanagudi pavements
BASAVANAGUDI
The Times of India

Bangalore: While the aroma of pure ghee on crisp masala dosa wafts from Vidyarthi Bhavan on one end, the stench of cow dung assaults you from the other end.

Pavements here are dangerous: One has to watch his step while walking on the pavements, thanks to the haphazardly laid, chipped off interlocking blocks.

The minor civic problems here and there notwithstanding, Basavanagudi otherwise is an area which promises a peaceful living with good quality of life. One of the biggest assembly segments in Bangalore, Basavanagudi is also an old area that still has preserved its cultural history. So much so that people had launched a strong campaign against the civic authorities when the flyover at National College was mooted three years ago. Their concern was that the flyover would mar the aesthetics of the historical National College circle.

However, the area which has six wards of BCC and eight slums coming under it, has its own share of problems. According to Gundu Rao, a longtime resident of Srinagar, the water and sanitary lines keep bursting at regular intervals. “Due to increase in the population, the old sanitary lines get damaged too often. Broken water lines with water oozing out on the road is a common scene here,’’ Rao complained.

The storm water drain, which is a subsidiary of Vrishabhavathi valley, is clogged as the drain is filled with garbage and stagnant water. It has become a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes and in turn has become a health hazard.

Garbage removal is also another problem in Srinagar, the ward which comes under partial category, has lot of old areas like Ashoknagar, Kalappa block, Raghavendra block, Muneshwara block and Nagendra block.

On the contrary, another old ward — KG Nagar — is well developed. But the adjoining areas such as Gavipura, Sunkanahalli, Sanyasi Kunte, Chikkanna Garden and Veeraswamy Garden require a facelift. Though the eight slums are far better in terms of infrastructure compared with its counterparts in other parts of the city, they still require some overhauling.

The pavements in the area, particularly on DVG Road and in Gandhi Bazar which were adorned with interlocking blocks, are in a pathetic state. The blocks have already chipped off, and some damaged making it difficult for the walkers. The main Gandhi Bazar road which otherwise is broad has been narrowed by encroachments. The namesake vegetable market has hardly been put to use, and hence, majority of the vendors squat on the pavements and roads blocking traffic.

Another eyesore is the encroachment of conservancy lanes in the area which are closed by the adjoining property owners and used for their own. For instance, a conservancy on East Anjaneya Temple Street, which connects the parallel road, has been closed by the next-door owner by constructing walls on either sides.

On the whole, Basavanagudi has always been envied for its broad roads, wide pavements, well-planned infrastructure to keep pace with population growth.

The area which has a right mixture of residential layouts, shopping places and markets is also well networked with public transportation. Another added bonus for the area is that it is dominated by educated, middle and upper-middle class families who still have high levels of civic sense.

PROBLEMS GALORE

•Badly laid pavements in Gandhi Bazar and shopping areas.
•Cattle straying on the roads and pavements; stench of cowdung.
•Uncleared garbage in some parts.
•Bad patches of road near Ramakrishna Mutt.
•Encroachment of conservancy lanes.

The shoulder drains that were opened for desilting a couple of months ago, have been left unattended to. This is the state of affairs on Vani Vilas Road and other residential bylanes.


MLASPEAK: K CHANDRASHEKHAR
“We are carrying out a host of developmental projects for the area.A Fantasy Park is under implementation which will be the first of its kind in south India.This is being carried out at a cost of Rs 6 crore at Brindavannagar. This apart, total asphalting of roads, remodelling of pavements,desilting of storm water drains and rejuvenation of Kempambudi lake are being taken up.’’