The vast expanse of outer Bangalore, the erstwhile City Municipal Councils and Town Municipal Councils are now a part of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). However, the official recognition is yet to show on the ground. Over a year after their identities merged with the BBMP, the new areas still languish with all the resultant infrastructure and civic problems.

Starting today, Metrolife will bring, every Monday, for its readers reports on the progress of these newly acquired areas, which are developing as models albeit harbouring within zones of official neglect.

Dasarahalli zone was constituted by merging 32 wards of the erstwhile Dasarahalli CMC and 12 villages. Ten kilometres from Kempe Gowda Bus Station, and you hit the zonal limits. Yet, that proximity does not translate to better infrastructure. A first glance would reveal it as a hub of unauthorised constructions, where growth has simply gone out of control.

"Roads are bad. Forget riding vehicles, even taking a stroll on the roads is a Herculean task," says Arun Kumar, a businessman who has been living in Dasarahalli for the last 12 years. It is clear that the roads have not seen asphalt in the last decade.

Water

Residents here depend on borewells for drinking water. Cauvery water supply will take another five years, according to Joint Commissioner of the zone K C Shivashankar. The Palike has plans to sink 190 borewells to supplement the existing 70.

Drainage

Lack of drainage facility is a major problem of the locality. Flooded roads are a common sight during the rainy season. Medical Officer of Health Vijaykumar Biradar puts it aptly: "Dasarahalli is no better than a slum. Without drainage, this area resembles a slum, despite being only a few kilometres away from Bangalore."

Official speak

"Dasarahalli is a zone of unplanned growth and unauthorised constructions. More than 85 per cent of constructions in the zone are unauthorised. Last year revenue generat-ed was only Rs 7 crore. Out of which Rs 2 crore goes towards administrative expenses. How can anyone expect developmental works with Rs 5 crore. This year we are expecting Rs 10 crore revenue. However, we are taking up 316 works worth Rs 72 crore.
We could take up so many works because the area is now a part of the Palike."
K C Shivashankar,
Joint Commissioner, Dasarahalli