A thing of beauty is a joy forever. But alas! the Travellers’ Bungalow in Chikkaballapur City is an eyesore to everyone.

Like any other Government building, the Travellers’ Bungalow is blessed with a sprawling property. With huge open space surrounding the main building and well protected by walls around its boundary, it could have been one of the most well-maintained and best buildings in the City.

Dry grass, thorny bushes and wild shrubs are all the greenery visible on the land. The premises is also littered with garbage and waste. Thus, it is a complete picture of sheer apathy and negligence.

The negligence is justifiable, was the building located in a remote village. But the pity is, it is located in the district centre and is frequented by the State and the Centre’s elected representatives.
 Most of the dharnas and protests begin from the Travellers’ Bungalow premises.
The Travellers’ Bungalow has been in the existence for the last several years and yet none have bothered to turn it into a visual marvel. As it is, the City faces a dearth of parks and gardens.
The place could have been well transformed into a picturesque premises with a beautiful garden and manicured paths.

The Travellers’ Bungalow has maintained its status quo, inspite of four years of Chikballapur having turned into a district centre.

When compared to the Travellers’ Bungalows at other district centres, the Travellers’ Bungalow at Chikballapur does not have much facilities.

Yet, most of the press conferences, interactions and discussions with the Union and State ministers take place here.

Unkempt premises

Cracks have developed on the wall around the premises, while unkempt open space and rugged pathway only make the scene worse. Rag pickers are often found loitering in the premises while mongrels are found digging for food. The Travellers’ Bungalow is surrounded by houses and petty shops who find the premises an easy option to dump their garbage there. Day by day, the pile of waste has only been increasing with none being bothered about its clearance. It is not sufficient if only the building is maintained.
Even the surroundings also must be kept clean.

Is there a dearth of funds or staff crunch or just that the officers concerned are not bothered about the maintenance that has left the premises in such a condition, the public question. Whenever the matter is brought to the notice of the elected representatives, it is stated that the Travellers’ Bungalow will be shifted elsewhere and instead, a new bus stand will be come up on its place. However, the public are of the opinion that irrespective of whatever comes up there, was it not pertinent atleast to keep the place clean and tidy.

Most of them are in favour of the fact that the Travellers’ Bungalow should remain at its present locality. Located in the heart of the City, it should not be shifted elsewhere, instead it should be developed properly, they opine.