The Metro is supposed to make things easier for Bangaloreans, but for the residents of Jayanagar, it has made things worse.
Uncleared debris and bad condition of the roads connecting Lalbagh and Jayanagar’s 4th Block have made it difficult to commute in the area, especially on the old Nanda theatre road.
Although residents here have repeatedly written to officials of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, little has been done to fix the problem.
Mukund, a resident and joint secretary of Citizens’ Action Forum spoke to Deccan Herald about his attempts to get the BMRCL to clean up the mess. “I wrote to the then managing director of the BMRCL, N Sivasailam, in July — who assured us that the debris will be cleared and the barricades removed,” he said. “It has been over five months now but nothing has been done. The roads, particularly between 30th and 38th Crosses are no longer in any condition to be used by motorists.” At that time, Sivasailam had communicated this concern to the BMRCL’s chief engineer who had, in turn, assured residents that the debris would be cleared. But this never happened, rued a resident of the area. When asked about the issue, BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola, promised to “take corrective steps soon.”
While residents wait for these words to be followed up with action, those living in the neighbourhoods around South End Circle and RV Road, have been facing a harrowing time because of ongoing Metro construction work. The parking system has been rendered completely ineffective. As vehicles are not allowed to enter the area, residents have had to struggle to find parking for their vehicles in adjoining areas. Vehicles can be found parked haphazardly everywhere.
Pedestrians have had to contend with clouds of debris-laden dust in the area. “Worst of all, the footpaths are being misused to park vehicles in the area,” pedestrians here said.
Another resident pointed out that it has also become near impossible to escape the effects of Metro construction by selling their home or businesses, and moving out.
“The construction work has taken more than the stipulated time to complete. Because of the work going on in the area, businesses have been badly affected. In fact, there are no buyers for properties in this area,” he said.