BBMP tall claims raise a stink

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) wants us to believe that it had laid concrete roads and sewerage lines at Bangarappa Nagar in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone eight times in the last four years. But a reality check by Deccan Herald has exposed this claim, so tall that residents are shocked by its audacity.

On paper, the BBMP has it on record that it got into this hyper development mode from 2007 to 2010. That wouldn’t let a dirty, nauseating mix of mud roads, stinking open drains and heaps of garbage welcome you to the slum called Bangarappa Nagar. Yes, this revenue layout is more of a slum, an abject apology for a developmental model that the Palike claims it to be.

If the Palike records proudly proclaim that it had spent Rs 3 crore on laying sewerage lines and concrete roads in this small locality, there is no evidence of it anywhere. The BWSSB wouldn’t feel the need to lay underground drainage pipelines there, as local residents put it.

Bangarappa Nagar, in a remote corner of Bangalore,  could easily escape the public glare.

But, as it turns out, the place was perfect to be used as a milch cow by a few engineers and politicians. Dominated by underprivileged Dalit and backward community families, with poor incomes and low education levels, Bangarappa Nagar’s profile suited them well. A majority of men here are labourers, while only a few are self-employed. There are no government employees.

It was a cruel irony for those living in the area when they were told of the Palike’s claims. Jayarama, who lives near the Shani Temple at Bangarappa Nagar, was shocked when told that the Palike had concreted the road eight times in the past, and the ninth was in progress.

“It is still fresh in my memory that the road was concreted eight years ago. Before that the sewage drains were laid. Within a year the concrete road started withering away and now there are only ruins,” said Jayarama.

Somanna, a local activist of Jaya Karnataka, a pro-Kannada organisation, refuted that sewerage lines and concrete roads were ever laid in the last four years. Taking Deccan Herald on a tour of the area, he said the last time any money was “spent here was eight years ago.” Showing an open drain, Somanna said, “Had the BBMP spent money on sewerage, I should not have had stinking open drains in front of my shop.”