Ejipura grapples with infrastructure woes; Flyover, water and garbage

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Ejipura is a ward in Beng alur u, situated in the southern part of the city. Ejipura falls under Ward 148 of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city's administrative body.

Ejipura is surrounded by several popular neighbourhoods such as Koramangala, Indiranagar, BTM Layout, HSR Layout, Embassy Golf Links Business Park and so on.

Citizens are expressing anxieties over the completion timeline, questioning the structural integrity of the pillars, and highlighting concerns about the road median becoming a dumping ground.

Interestingly, some have mockingly referred to the flyover as a 'heritage structure.'

These diverse apprehensions encompass worries about project delays, safety, environmental degradation, and the perceived significance or lack thereof of the infrastructure within the community.

With the flyover project on hold, traffic jams in Ejipura are a major problem. Especially during busy times, like rush hour, residents state that the Ejipura Main Road and the Inner Ring Road junction get extremely congested.

The flyover is incomplete with half-constructed pillars and broken barricades in the middle of the road, which makes the congestion even worse.

A local long-time resident said, "I am worried about when they'll finish the project. It's frustrating dealing with delays and not knowing when it'll be done. While traffic congestion was a concern, it has worsened considerably with the construction occupying half the road. Waiting for it to be finished feels like forever, and any more delays just make it worse."

Garbage is piling up within the barricades of the half-constructed flyover, creating a visible eyesore and environmental concern.

With construction halted, the area has become a convenient dumping ground for residents and passersby. Residents also allege it has become a biohazard as medical waste is being disposed of here.

Discarded waste, including plastic bags, food wrappers, and other debris, accumulates unchecked, detracting from the surroundings.

The same resident added, “It is so frustrating to see the garbage piling up within the barricades of the half-constructed flyover. The absence of regular cleaning and waste removal aggravates the situation, making it an eyesore and posing health risks. I have even noticed some migrant workers drinking, smoking and doing other activities inside the barricaded wall.”

The polluted Rajakaluve is a significant source of concern for residents. Over time, it has transformed into a repository for waste, ranging from plastic bottles and covers to industrial runoff.

A resident who lives adjacent to the Rajkaluve said, “It was not this polluted before. The canal suddenly saw a surge in pollution post-pandemic.”

She also added, “During heavy rains, the drain overflows, flooding streets and homes with contaminated water, exacerbating the risk of waterborne diseases. Efforts to clean up the Rajakaluve are urgently needed to restore its function as a drainage system and to safeguard the health and well-being of the community. In addition to the polluted Rajakaluve, Ejipura faces several other pressing issues.

The Ejipura main road is marred by broken stormwater drains every 20 to 30 meters. Moreover, uneven and broken pedestrian pathways plague various parts of the area, posing safety hazards for pedestrians.

Furthermore, garbage black spots are prevalent, where waste accumulates unchecked, tarnishing the locality's cleanliness and posing health risks.