Good example of a bad ward

Good example of a bad ward
Muthi-ur-Rahman Siddiqui, April 19, DH News Service:

Garbage strewn all around, overflowing drainage water, lack of adequate parking space and the presence of four meat markets dotted with inexplicable unsanitary conditions –– that’s the typical impression one gets of Shivajinagar (Ward No. 92).


Located in the heart of the City and at a stone’s throw distance from the Central Business District, Shivajinagar is a classic example of how badly a locality could be maintained.

But not many citizens are complaining either, what with being used to living in dirt and filth.

Being a market area, parking is a big mess here. A resident, who runs an automobile spare parts shop in this locality, says: “Only those who come to Russell Market for shopping know how difficult it is to park their vehicles here.”

Apart from frequent load-shedding, which has of late become a City-wide phenomenon in Bangalore, residents of Shivajinagar have to also deal with the erratic and low-pressure water supply. Says Syed Siraj, a resident of Thimmaiah Road, a part of which falls under Shivajinagar Ward: “We have been dealing with this problem since last year.” In contrast, residents of Nala Road get adequate water. However, it is unsuitable for drinking.

The clogged drainage chambers only add to citizens’ woes. Residents complained that the chambers near their houses get blocked frequently.

The most glaring apathy of the civic authorities is seen in the incomplete bridge over the drain, which runs across Hazrath Kambal Posh (HKP) Road.

According to Corporator Farida Ishtiyakk Ahmad, construction of the bridge was aimed at preventing water from inundating the houses on Nala Road. But the irony is that, it was constructed unevenly which has made the matters worse. Now, more water enters into the houses when there is a downpour.

“Shivajinagar is a low-lying area, hence houses get inundated here,” she said and added that dumping of garbage into the drains by the residents is compounding the problem.

Only 13, 941 voters (42.27 pc) out of an electorate of 32,981 cast their votes in the locality, which shows their disinterest with the polls.

Around 90 per cent of the City’s meat is supplied from the renowned Russell Market, which was built in 1927. Another attraction of the locality is the Stephen’s Square, which was once labelled Bangalore’s ‘Chor Bazaar’, due to the belief that stolen merchandise were sold here. However the Stephen's Square Merchants' Association has decided to act sternly against those involved in purchase and sale of stolen goods.