Rain woes dog Sudhamanagar residents

Every time it rains, it turns out a nightmare for residents of Sudhamanagar. For 32-year-old Prema, draining out rain water from her home right opposite the huge stormwater drain, Annipura Main Road, has become a daily routine.

“In the past three days, it has been difficult for us to live here and the rain easily enters our home since the road is low-lying. Every year, it’s been the same situation and I just hope the drain does not overflow in the coming days.”  

Apart from inundation of rainwater into homes, the drain is posing a headache to residents. The drainage is under repair since three months and is yet to be completed. “The drainage extends from Mysore Road to Koramangala. Three months back, BWSSB took up the cleaning and changing the old underground drainage line with new lines in and around the area. A part of the fence was broken for the work and it is kept open. There are chances of people slipping over and falling inside the drain,” said shop owner Sridhar B N. 

Nearby residents said, on June 1, the local corporator along with a few BBMP officials visited the area and assured the residents of putting up the fence around the drain. The local corporator D Chandrappa, said: I have ordered the Bangalore Water Supply Sewerage Board engineers of the ward to complete the work at the earliest. Once that is done, the fence will be put up.” 

Apart from Annipura Main Road, the residents from Old Sunkal Road, Sudhamanagar too are complaining. “There is an increase of mosquitoes due to stagnated water in open drains and construction sites. The foul smell emanating from scattered dump yards have further added to our woes,” said Kumar Subramaniam, a resident.