Into the ‘suburbs’

Into the ‘suburbs’



Express FeaturesFirst Published : 17 Nov 2009 04:17:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 17 Nov 2009 07:40:04 AM IST
BANGALORE: One of the busiest bus stands in the city, a pretty lake with a walking/running route around it, a railway station and a hanging bridge that was touted to be a panacea for all traffic evils — this is Krishnarajapuram (KR Puram) for you.
What was once the ‘suburbs’ of Bangalore has seen what expansion of cities can do. Over the years KR Puram has become a nodal point for the IT ‘corridor’ — towards Marathalli and the Outer Ring Road. However, KR Puram as it is today is only a bundle of woes brought on it by all the unplanned development that happened around it.
The bright side
KR Puram has a large number of educational institutions, which include facilities from kindergarten to high school.
The KR Puram Lake, the bus stand with good frequency for BMTC buses connecting the area to most parts of Bangalore, the railway station and the Tin Factory are some of its important landmarks.
Now some bad news
‘The great KR Puram road trap’ published in NIE, underlines the traffic mess that the hanging bridge has become.
Apart from this there has always been a problem of the urban poor in this area. The Rajivnagar slum located close to the Diesel Shed Lake. Despite many promises of regularisation, the residents have to face a constant problem of power and water. Malarvizhi, who has lived in KR Puram, says that access to the inner lanes of the residential areas is a problem as the roads are not tarred and can prove to be a bumpy ride.
“We used to get water from a tanker because of the irregular supply,” she says.
A fall out of being the focal point to most transport routes is that KR Puram residents are increasingly being put through noise and air pollution. Rents and plot rates, however are on a high due to the connectivity factor.
Places to be
KR Puram is not a haven for foodies, but there are road-side dhabas that serve piping hot idlis and dosas for a quick and cheap meal. Just near KR Puram is the residential Ramamurthynagar, where one can find better eating joints. One can also go to the nearby Whitefield for better options in food and to Marathahalli for shopping. The KR Puram Lake is also a place for all walkers as it has a well laid of walking and running track.