<p>Bengaluru: Thousands of residents, students, and commuters, dependent on the 2.7-km stretch of Holiday Village Road in Vajarahalli, off Kanakapura Road, staged a unique protest — a gana homa (fire ritual) — on Sunday to draw the authorities’ attention.</p>.<p>The road, connecting over 15,000 families, has remained in a poor condition since being brought under the city limits.</p>.<p>Initially dug up for Cauvery water pipelines, it has since become a muddy, dusty stretch causing hardship for residents of apartment complexes like Purva Highland, Malgudi, and Godrej Eternity, as well as students and staff of Kumaran’s and KS School of Engineering and Management. Delivery personnel also struggle to navigate it.</p>.<p>"It is not even walkable. Autorickshaw drivers demand Rs 180 for just three kilometres," said Saroja C, a local resident.</p>.<p>Sathyanarayana V, who lives in the neighbourhood, recalled a fatality. "A flower vendor died of lung blockage because of the dust."</p>.<p>Vani Hegde, a resident, said that her daughter recently fell off her scooter and suffered injuries on the same road.</p>.<p>Advocate Pradeep Shenoy noted, "School bus accidents are common during the rains because of the slushy road."</p>.<p>Previous peaceful demonstrations were blocked by a court order restricting protests to Freedom Park.</p>.<p>After fruitless meetings with BBMP officials, the residents organised the homa. Originally planned at Sri Venkateshwara Temple near the road, it was later shifted to Muthuraya Swamy Temple due to “local political pressure”. Prayers were offered for early completion of the roadwork.</p>.<p>"We cannot even call it a road; it is completely off-road. Last night, when officials learnt of our protest, they poured some concrete on the road to pretend work is in progress," said Gautham Kamath. Though a foundation stone for white-topping was laid, the actual work is yet to begin, he added.</p>.<p>Emergency services have also faced delays on the stretch. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: Thousands of residents, students, and commuters, dependent on the 2.7-km stretch of Holiday Village Road in Vajarahalli, off Kanakapura Road, staged a unique protest — a gana homa (fire ritual) — on Sunday to draw the authorities’ attention.</p>.<p>The road, connecting over 15,000 families, has remained in a poor condition since being brought under the city limits.</p>.<p>Initially dug up for Cauvery water pipelines, it has since become a muddy, dusty stretch causing hardship for residents of apartment complexes like Purva Highland, Malgudi, and Godrej Eternity, as well as students and staff of Kumaran’s and KS School of Engineering and Management. Delivery personnel also struggle to navigate it.</p>.<p>"It is not even walkable. Autorickshaw drivers demand Rs 180 for just three kilometres," said Saroja C, a local resident.</p>.<p>Sathyanarayana V, who lives in the neighbourhood, recalled a fatality. "A flower vendor died of lung blockage because of the dust."</p>.<p>Vani Hegde, a resident, said that her daughter recently fell off her scooter and suffered injuries on the same road.</p>.<p>Advocate Pradeep Shenoy noted, "School bus accidents are common during the rains because of the slushy road."</p>.<p>Previous peaceful demonstrations were blocked by a court order restricting protests to Freedom Park.</p>.<p>After fruitless meetings with BBMP officials, the residents organised the homa. Originally planned at Sri Venkateshwara Temple near the road, it was later shifted to Muthuraya Swamy Temple due to “local political pressure”. Prayers were offered for early completion of the roadwork.</p>.<p>"We cannot even call it a road; it is completely off-road. Last night, when officials learnt of our protest, they poured some concrete on the road to pretend work is in progress," said Gautham Kamath. Though a foundation stone for white-topping was laid, the actual work is yet to begin, he added.</p>.<p>Emergency services have also faced delays on the stretch. </p>