Down in the pits

Monsoon worries

It’s not uncommon to see varied striations run across the streets of Bengaluru. Bumps, humps, furrows and ridges spot the roads. But even as areas like Vasanth Nagar present proof that the City’s roads need a revamp, authorities remain unfazed.

With each spell of rain, the remnants of old Bengaluru wash away and blend with broken sticks, stones and dust. An area that once sported newly-tarred roads and comfortable footpaths, Vasanth Nagar has now turned cripple with its wrecked civic amenities.

Footpaths with missing and crooked teeth, and roads that resemble an unfinished puzzle, the area around Mount Carmel College is a sight to behold. The students of the college aren’t the only ones that fill the area — the girls of Sophia’s Girls’ School, eager shoppers visiting Cunningham Road and MG Road, and those heading to Cantonment Railway Station are a few that pay heavy toll on these roads. Indu, a teacher for autistic children, says that she has a hard time getting to the railway station because of the roads. “I tend to visit my home town every few months, and I’m made to take the route through Vasanth Nagar to get to the railway station. Starting from Opus, the road is like a rollerskate. It used to be a little better before but now that the road leading to Cantonment has been dug up, it makes it even more difficult.” She adds that the road gives her a backache.

The rugged roads have also affected the flow of traffic near Mount Carmel College. “The traffic is the worst in the morning and evenings because there are so many students flowing in. And because of the bad roads, we sometimes get caught on that small stretch for half an hour or so,” says Sonia Balch, a student of the college.

The passing summer and pre-monsoon showers haven’t made it any easier either. There is always a pool of water in front of the Vasanth Nagar entrance to Palace Grounds, and hardly any space for vehicles or pedestrians to manoeuvre.

     Anissa Bias, also a student of the college, says, “Once, me and a friend waited in the traffic for 20 minutes, right in front of college, and once we got past, it started raining and took more time to get past.”

What with ‘Tender SURE’ reaching its peak on Cunningham Road, and the road leading to it from Mount Carmel College being turned into a one-way, students are more than miffed. Now, the ever-popular ‘Loafers Lane’ bears the brunt of such decisions. ‘Loafers Lane’ has become congested, crowded and filled with garbage. At least a thousand girls walk on it everyday but the piles of garbage never disappear. Even if it is being collected, it doesn’t look like it,” says Anissa.

     The small bylane, which houses various shops, eateries,  has become a dangerous route for students to take.

What do they think should be done? “The road needs to be tarred regularly. It’s hard to keep it in good condition if it’s falling apart. And garbage needs to be collected regularly, maybe from every shop separately,” says Anissa. Jeanne Rozina, a student, thinks that there is no permanent solution.

      “Maybe if they made the main road a two-way again, it would help ease traffic. But there is no real solution, it’s too congested.” Sonia believes in being more pro-active and sums up with, “The roads have to be regularly maintained but no one is willing to take charge. Maybe if students got together and spoke up, it would pave the road for a traffic-free future!”