Illegal dumping of garbage goes unchecked in Ejipura

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: Ejipura under ward number 148 of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is in close proximity to Koramangala which has made it an epicenter for most settlers from other states and locals.

With a growing population exceeding 34,299, the area has flourished with posh grocery stores and places offering recreational activities apart from the many government offices located in the area.  It comes under the Bangalore South Parliamentary Constituency. The area is spread across 1.6 sq km and the corporator of the area is P.M.Saroja.

Apart from the tertiary growth of the area, it is also known for the upcoming flyover which has been in the eye of the storm for the last four years and has caused severe civic imbalance in the area and traffic congestion. It has led to narrowing of major roads, unsafe buildings, potholes, water logging issues and overflowing of drains. The case of illegal dumping is extensive and a regular practice at the Ashwini layout storm water drain.

 “The illegal dumping of garbage at the Storm water drain goes unchecked almost always; this attitude has multiplied the number of mosquitoes in the last few years. Labourers and their children are prone to urinate and defecate in the sides of the drain as there are no public toilets,” Rajashree Roopa, a resident of Ashwini Layout said.  

She also said that she has been calling out to many people who dump their garbage late at night, to stop the practice. She says that due to the settlement of the student community, the street vendors too have become careless, adding to the careless attitude of the students.  

Under the civic intervention programmes being conducted across the eight zones of the city, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) started its pipeline work ahead of the New Year and it is still going on, the authorities assured News trail that the work will be over in the next two months.

“There is still some debris we have to remove and we are going to almost complete with the drain work, we will put the road back in the same condition” said an official from BWSSB. According to Traffic Authorities, they will be allowing the intervention of the flyover to take place after the fresh tendering process which has experienced a delay of four years.

In a meeting with BBMP authorities and the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) that was conducted in the first week of January, Joint Commissioner BBMP said that the tendering process will be fresh and the new company will be asked to expedite the work. He also said that the flyover work will be over by February 2024.  

“Rainy season is the most testing for us living in Ejipura, with the drains releasing toxic smell; it has affected many people’s health. The debris dumped in these areas continues to rot emanating more obnoxious smells. The garbage collection is faintly weak and there are no designated spots with garbage bins. There is a lack of segregation of garbage which over time comes down to the main road, making it a horrible experience during walks,” Hari Prasad Naidu, a resident of Chandra Reddy layout of Ejipura said.

As per the law enforcement authorities, the crime rate is minimal with occasional vehicle thefts, chain snatching from the marketplace, degree fraudsters, and sale of drugs being the main reported crime.

Miscreants hailing from posh universities are involved in drug peddling businesses from their homes, many have been arrested and the nightlife of Koramangala can be a nuisance on the weekend with drunken youngsters swirling the streets, a law enforcer said. “We are also focusing on preventing public smoking in the area,” said a police officer on a regular Hoysala surveillance around the Ashwini layout.