You can run but you can't hide

You can run but you can't hide


Sharan Poovanna First Published : 15 Jun 2010 02:42:40 AM ISTLast Updated : 15 Jun 2010 08:50:26 AM IST
BANGALORE: Monsoon has just arrived, but for many Bangaloreans the charm of rain has already been lost to civic problems.
Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians are the worst-hit in the rain.
With trees falling, walls collapsing and bus shelters disappearing, the common man on the street has no choice but to get drenched most of the times.
Giriraj, a student, said he was tired of reaching the college drenched.
“I don’t think I can stand anywhere for hours and wait for the rain to stop,” said Giriraj, a student. “Neither do I have the time nor is it safe.” Vimal, a software professional, travels from Jayanagar to C V Raman Nagar everyday for work. He would rather get drenched than take shelter under a tree in the city.
“Standing under trees is dangerous, given the number of trees and branches that have fallen in the city in the last few weeks,” he said.
Atul Kurian, a web designer, has lost his love for the monsoon season.
He said he hated the rain as it “crippled” the city.
“I enjoyed riding in the rain but now it is just not advisable any more with open manholes and such bad roads,” he said.
He even referred to the incident of wall collapse that killed a 17-year-old girl, Sanjana Singh, and said those responsible should be punished.
Giriraj said clogged drains and water-logged roads were another major hurdle for two-wheelers.
Four-wheelers splash dirty water on the riders, leaving them drenched, “dirty and smelly”, he said.
He said the government was releasing hundreds of crores of rupees to develop Banglaore, but that the ‘old Bangalore’ would be fine without the digging for development.