Lives are trapped in a stinking hole of neglec

Lives are trapped in a stinking hole of neglect

Kids fall ill as BBMP workers fail to clean up the lanes and drains in Bhadrappa Layout

Parents are afraid of leaving their children alone at home as they live dangerously close to the open drains

Vaishalli Chandra. Bangalore



There is a persistent stench in the streets, in lanes and even in homes. With an open drain running next to their doors, it's quite natural and residents of Bhadrappa Layout seem to be resigned to their fate.
The layout stands in a low-lying area. An open drain winding its way from Doddabomasandra to Nagawara passes through the layout leaving behind a terrible stench.
While a cement wall was erected last year to ensure the safety of residents whose homes border the drain, it has not helped them in any way. Storm water drains are not dug deep and even a light rain is enough to drive dirty water into their homes.
"There is waist-deep water here during monsoons," said Mohammed Hussain Khan, a resident who had come to live in this area as a toddler.
A house painter now, he said the living condition of residents had worsened over the last two decades. To drive home his point, he showed the drains filled with stagnant waste water. It was a repulsive sight.
"No one comes to clean them," said a woman. Pointing at a raised ground, she said it was done to ensure dirty water does not enter their house.
"Every year, water and debris from the drains used to enter our homes," she said.
Official apathy was clearly evident. De-silted drains ended abruptly with silt lying on the sides of the drains.
The stench raised by them is unbearable but residents say they have got used to it as there is no civic agency coming to clean the stagnant drains.
Children are usually accompanied by elders. A concerned mother said, "We can't leave our children out of sight as we stay so close to the open drain."
The compound wall is unsafe, said the residents pointing at a big hole in the wall.
"Through this, all the muck gets into our lanes and homes," said Hussein.
Residents complained that they have mosquito menace all the year round. "The drains are filthy and since they are not cleaned, mosquitoes are always a problem," they said.
BBMP workers have not come to fumigate the area. Children often fall sick amid such an unhygienic setting. With no welfare association still in place to fight for their cause, the residents said the local councillor was responsible for the maintenance of the roads and drains. But the official had never initiated any cleaning drive in the area.