Frustrated by the Bangalore Development Authority which has been continuing work on the Sirsi Circle-Agara Junction signal-free corridor despite High Court instructions ordering them to desist, Koramangala residents have hired a private security agency to protect public property.

For the last two months, three private security guards from Global Detective Agency have been keeping an eye on the proposed construction locations of four grade separators. 

The separators are part of the Bangalore Development Authority’s signal-free corridor project at Sarjapur Road, Koramangala 100 Feet Road Junction, Koramangala 80-Feet Road Junction and Jakkasandra Junction. But work was stopped on official orders by the High Court till a case over the project is decided.

Residents claim that construction is being carried out on the sly by contractors hired by the Authority — in clear violation of the order. 

Local police were initially called in to stop construction but delays in the flow of information over the activities of the offending contractors hindered effective policing. 

“On numerous occasions, we were unable to identify the time when the Authority began construction work. On a few occasions, they started work at 2 pm and the information came to us only at 4.30 pm,” said one resident.

Finally, after the Authority began to dig up the road at the water tank junction in Koramangala on June 1, independent security guards were hired to keep round-the-clock vigil. 

Residents claim that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has also approved the employment of the guards. 

Cost of vigilante policing

Although the guards have been effective in halting construction work, they have come at a price. “For the month of June alone, the bills came to Rs 45,000. This month, they are likely to increase to Rs 60,000,” a resident said. 

A fund to pay the guards had been created through contributions from residents to the tune of Rs 500 to Rs 600 per home. At present, a single guard is on duty during the day while two cover the night shift.

On Sunday, residents considered halting the services and reverting to a previous arrangement in which volunteers monitored the locations.