'Is Bengaluru about Church Street & MG Road?' Jalahalli Cross, Peenya residents decry poor infra

Bengaluru: Residents, commuters, and business owners in Jalahalli Cross and Peenya Industrial Area in northern Bengaluru are frustrated with the deteriorating infrastructure, citing prolonged delays in constructing the Jalahalli underpass and the complete absence of footpaths.

Planned in 2018, the Jalahalli underpass saw tenders awarded in 2019, and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai laid the foundation stone in October 2021. However, the project has faced repeated setbacks due to land acquisition issues.

During peak hours, commuters report spending 30 to 40 minutes navigating the congested junction.

"Is Bengaluru just about Church Street and MG Road? The government must focus on other areas too. They have started white-topping the main road, but why was the underpass work not initiated simultaneously? Pedestrians are forced to walk on service roads without footpaths, risking their safety. How many years does it take to build basic infrastructure like footpaths?" asked Subhash Shetty, a resident of Nagasandra.

Vinay, a pharmacy owner near Jalahalli Cross, echoed the frustration: "Citizens pay hefty taxes, but where does all the money go? People need to start questioning these inefficiencies."

CG Jagadeesh, a resident of Jalahalli, criticised elected representatives for ignoring the problem. "There are no footpaths in Jalahalli Cross and Peenya Industrial Area, forcing pedestrians onto roads already packed with vehicles. BMTC buses stopping at signals further worsen the congestion," he added.

An executive engineer from the BBMP’s roadworks division acknowledged that land acquisition hurdles had delayed the underpass. "Of the 40-odd properties required, only 22 have been acquired so far," he told DH.

A senior officer from the Peenya Traffic Police Station stated that efforts are being made to prevent buses from stopping at Jalahalli Cross.

"Commuters are accustomed to waiting for buses at Jalahalli Cross, causing crowding. Law enforcement personnel have been deployed to prevent people from gathering there, while BMTC patrolling teams ensure buses don’t halt at the junction," the officer explained.