Puttenahalli: A model for all-round failure

Puttenahalli: A model for all-round failure
Tuesday September 18 2007 10:27 IST

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BANGALORE: A visit to Puttenahalli at J P Nagar 6th phase will confirm beyond doubt the hullabaloo that has been surrounding the area after the rain fury last weekend. Nonexistent roads that are still in knee-deep water forcing the residents to either wade through them or make deviations through garbage piles or stay marooned at their homes.

Stagnant waters before houses that makes one jittery about state of hygiene. No drinking water, no power at homes and no lights in the streets... Every possible infrastructure failure and civic problems that can be encountered in an area is right here at Puttenahalli.

A plethora of problems Residents say that the problem at Puttenahalli began after a part of Sarakki lake was filled in to make way for a park a couple of years ago. ‘‘Earlier the lake had the capacity to hold water for a complete rainy season. But ever since they made the lake shallow and filled in a part of it, it has begun flooding during rains in the area. They never constructed the park either,’’ a resident lamented.

Apart from this problem as seen by the residents, the other is self- created: Illegal constructions eating into the storm water drains. The ten buildings that were demolished in the area on Sunday and Monday were those built right on top of the ‘Raja Kaluve’. They were engineered in such a way that the drain water flowed under the foundation and the width of the drain was reduced to half. This apart, many buildings in the locality do not have outlets that connect to the storm water drain.

Invitation to epidemic The present state of Puttenahalli has all the ingredients necessary for the outbreak of an epidemic.

The older houses are submerged in knee-high stagnant water, which is a mix of rain water and sewage water. The stagnant water has also seeped into the underground tanks causing water contamination.

Adding to the woes, most houses do not have the supply of drinking water, that is, there literally is no clean water for consumption and water for other purposes.

The un-tarred roads are a mix of slush and garbage that has been strewn about by the rain water.