Bangalore has been growing phenomenally in recent years. Especially, the southern part of the city with its software companies, MNCs and  ongoing construction activities. Bannerghatta Road is one such example.

The road begins from a Christian symmetry, located at a junction on Hosur road, and stretches itself to a long drive of about 20 kilometres and more. Almost, along two kilometres of this stretch, one can see innumerable shops showcasing a variety of granite, mosaic and marble stones.

This stretch takes you to the Dairy Circle, from where one can go up to Bannerghatta and beyond. There are different architectural designs like that of Oracle, Sagar Motors, the fire brigade office and the office of the department of factories and boilers on this road.

There is the uniquely designed Jal Bhavan and a little further, the Jayadeva Hospital. Many other IT companies and MNCs like Honeywell, HSBC Bank, Fabmall and Accenture are also located on this stretch, not to forget the beautiful campus of the Indian Institute of Management.

The two super speciality hospitals – the Apollo and the Wockhardt – have added importance to this road. Some of the important reasons for such a sharp growth here is due to the availability of water in abundance and close proximity to localities like BTM, JP Nagar and Jayanagar.

The havoc created by elephants around Bannerghatta area is as much in the news. When we human beings forcibly occupy the habitats of these pachyderms, the question is where do they go.The development being witnessed on this road is a new phenomenon.

Even about five to six years ago, the residential plots around IIM, costing Rs100 per sft, had no takers. Now, even beyond five kilometres from this place, the value of the land is more than15 times of that price, say many realtors in the area.

Did anybody imagine the face of this road previously? Even in 90s, the entire stretch had only greenery and nothing else. Arakere, Doresanipalya and Gottigere had large lakes. Kempegowda, who built Bangalore, constructed large lakes in the city to help people get water.

These tanks when filled during monsoon were not deluging the city. Instead, the excess water used to go to the other tanks interconnected which in turn flowed into Madiwala lake. The rains of 2005, which submerged the city, partially would have shown our present town planners the location of lakes in around Bangalore.

In the 70s, one could only see ‘Sasyakaashi’ on either side of this road with very few vehicles shunting to and fro. Large segments of coconut plants, mango trees, varieties of vegetables and cereals were cynosure of all eyes. One wonders where all these farmers have gone? There were only very few landmarks like Bangalore Dairy building, Shivabalayogi Ashram and a building which housed a large launderer.

Further to this, there used to the innovative 'drive-in-theatre' which attracted not only movie-goers but also other people as it was first of its kind in India. With its large screen, the theatre allowed people to watch movies leisurely sitting in their vehicles. Its popularity was so much that a Kannada movie maker shot a song sequence here. The shows used to start late in the evening and going there was not a problem.

While returning, the journey was an uphill task as one had to tread through greens on small pathways.There was no fear of robbers or vagabonds. But snakes, frogs, lizards and scorpions used to be around especially during summer. Now, a beautifully glass encased building is standing on the debris of the drive-in-theatre.

Other than these landmarks, one can only remember a cave temple and the Champakadhama temple. The building of IIM stands aloof to all these developments. The National Park which encases wild animals has become a major tourist centre.

As the city is changing, there are many things which should be retained for the generations to come. In the name of modernisation we are swallowing rich green fields and ground water table which are lifeline for every species on the earth. If we do not preserve them for tomorrow, our future generation would have to beg the multinationals who hold patents to supply fresh air and clean water.