Siddapura faces harsh realities of urbanisation

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Siddapura, Mavalli, under the jurisdiction of ward number 144 in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) realities, presents a paradoxical landscape.

On one hand, it enjoys the proximity to the expanse of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a vital lung space for the city.

On the other side, Siddapura grapples with the harsh consequences of rapid urbanisation, including water scarcity, congested living conditions, and a dwindling green cover.

Siddapura has seen a lot of changes because of the new apartments built due to its closeness to Lalbagh.

These tall buildings have taken over the green areas, and the peaceful streets that used to have trees are now crowded with cars. The problem is that the houses were built without enough space to park cars and other vehicles properly, making the roads even more cramped. 

This lack of parking spaces has become a significant issue, causing congestion on the already narrow roads. The residents find it hard to navigate through the streets, and more difficult to travel.

One resident complained, “Navigating through the streets has become a real challenge, and it's disheartening to experience the increased difficulty in travelling. The situation has a direct impact on our quality of life, making simple tasks more time-consuming and frustrating.”

Another resident expressed concern, stating that the streets have become so congested that if a car were to enter, there would be no feasible way to exit, effectively trapping it indefinitely.

The ward is also facing a big problem with not having enough water, especially in the summer. People who live there have a hard time getting water, and some have to spend a lot of money on private water trucks.

One resident said, “It's kind of ironic because we live close to Lalbagh, where there are plants and trees. We thought having greenery and trees around would mean we have enough water, but sadly, we don't get much water except when it floods during the monsoon season.”

This water issue is a big challenge for the residents. Garbage disposal emerges as yet another challenge with frustrated residents, grappling with the inconsistency of pickups, contributing to the sanitation woes by resorting to roadside dumping.

This has led to a concerning situation where the accumulated garbage has become a breeding ground for rodents, and insects, and even attracted wandering cattle.

A garbage collector told News Trail that residents often complain about collection timings without considering the diverse schedules of the community.

The collector said, "Everyone complains about the time we come, but everyone's convenience is different. We even collect garbage if it's left at the doorstep before residents head to work, but unfortunately, many choose to discard it on the road instead."

He also complained about how residents don't even segregate the garbage before throwing which makes it their responsibility to segregate them which is extremely unsanitary.