Chalavadipalya's bane stagnant drain water, mosquito

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Open sewerage, blocked storm water drains, unclean drinking water, mosquito menace, stagnant water, and so on. These are some of the many issues the residents of Bakshi Garden in the Chalavadipalya Ward, Cottonpete, in Bengaluru are facing every day. The stormwater drain in the area is filled with solid waste and silt which has made the water unclean and stagnant.

The flow of water through the drain is completely blocked now. This has resulted in residents becoming victims of several diseases and having no access to clean drinking water. Muniyamma, a resident of Bakshi Garden who lives with her three children, spoke about her horrible living conditions, stating that the sewage is getting mixed with their drinking water and causing several diseases. The stagnant water has also become a breeding spot for mosquitoes and rodents.

She said, “There is a constant stench around my house and the sewage water is often getting mixed with our drinking water.” During last year's monsoon, the situation had worsened as sewage with solid waste entered the houses of the residents and caused severe damage to property.

“We were unable to eat, drink water or step out of our homes during last year's monsoon as the water entered our places. Several kids and women were struggling without basic amenities such as food, sanitary needs and clean drinking water,” Muniyamma added.

Many residents, including Muniamma, are now pleading with the BBMP to rectify the situation before the monsoon season, which is just a month away. There have been several rounds of protests by the residents of the Chalavadipalya lane slum demanding that the stormwater drain be cleaned, but no action has been taken yet.

“We re quested the government to relocate residents of the slum to a different place which will not be affected by the monsoon rains, but that request has not been taken into consideration. We feel like no one listens to our problems,” said Sangeetha, a resident of the slum.

Is the city monsoon ready?

Raghavendra B Pachhapur, a senior lead from Action Aid Association, suggests that the BBMP's men and machinery should prioritise cleaning the stormwater drains in similar conditions throughout the city to prevent another calamity during the upcoming monsoon.

“It is crucial to ensure that vulnerable communities have a peaceful monsoon this year and avoid the devastating impact of climate change on communities that depend on daily wage labour for their subsistence,” he said.