Fret not, Shivajinagar being made pedestrian-friendly

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

Commuting from one point to another has become a tough task in the Shivajinagar ward of Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. It may not be an exaggeration to say that pedestrians are most affected in this ward as most roads here are either dug up or being dug up. In the absence of pedestrian-friendly footpaths, it is difficult for not only walkers but also motorists as the latter have to be extra cautious while driving on the narrow, congested and encroached streets of Shivajinagar.

Not a single road around Russell Market is free from encroachment by street vendors or greedy businessmen who have extended their shops onto the road at various places, especially on Jumma Masjid Road. “There is absolutely no footpath on this road. We have to be extra cautious while walking on it. Not that I think it is viable to have footpaths along this very narrow road. I am of the opinion that traffic police ban movement of vehicles on this road for the benefit of pedestrians and shoppers,’’ said Murugeshan S, a local.

Commuting on Seppings Road has become a Herculean task for motorists as there is very little space left for them. Traffic is allowed both ways and vehicles are always parked on both sides. As if this is not enough, digging of the road has been going on for the last six months.

“Motorists have to be extra cautious while commuting here, especially the two-wheeler riders. The road has been dug up at a number of places, either to replace old waterlines or UGD pipes. The contractors have not restored the road, thus causing much inconvenience to twowheeler riders,’’ said Wazeed Ahmed, a resident of Thimmaiah Road.

Arif Khan, a local, complains that traffic jams are a regular menace, especially at night on Seppings Road. “I want the traffic police to ensure parking of vehicles only on one side of the road, so as to facilitate smooth movement of vehicles on this road,’’ he said, adding that the BBMP authorities must instruct contractors assigned to develop the footpaths or laying of pipes to promptly periodically remove the inevitable debris and not leave it lying around days on end,” he said.

With the closure of Seth Krishan Lal Phoolchand Maternity Home, which was maintained by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), pregnant women from economically weaker families are forced to go to the Referral Hospital in Halasuru or Ghousia Hospital for delivery. Considering that commuting is not easy for them, they should be provided the facility closer home, a local suggested.

One can see heaps of garbage and debris on many roads here, including Sree Rama Sannidhi Road, near Thimmaiah Road. Hanging around at the Russell Market even for a short time is difficult, what with stench emanating from the accumulated garbage. “BBMP health officials are doing their best to clear the garbage, but it is not up to the mark. Understandably, the market generates a lot of rubbish on a daily basis. Ongoing roadworks have rendered the entire stretch in front of the heritage building dusty,’’ said a businessman from Russell Market.

However, some residents expressed their gratitude to MLA Rizwan Arshad and former corporator of Shivajinagar ward Farida and her husband Ishtiaq for their “valuable service to help Covidaffected people and families”.

“I wish to thank the MLA as well as the former corporator and her husband for helping the needy of the area. They not only arranged treatment for Covid patients at hospitals, but also supplied groceries,’’ said Dilip Solanki, a social activist.

Rizwan Arshad, MLA, Shivajinagar says

Shivajinagar ward is one of the oldest wards in the city. Development of various roads is in progress. Asphalting of roads such as Mackan Road, Seppings Road, Narayana Pillai Street, Broadway Road, Thimmaiah Road, Shivaji Road, and some others is either complete or in progress, which will be completed soon.

For 30 to 40 years, water pipes and underground drainage pipes here were not replaced. As of now, the replacement of old waterlines and UGD pipes is in progress. There were not many pedestrianfriendly footpaths in Shivajinagar. We are setting that right. We have also taken up the replacement of water and drainage pipes as well as the construction of drains on a number of roads. I believe all ongoing work will be completed in the next 45 days.

As far as door-to-door collection of garbage is concerned, it was hitherto very poor. Now, we have increased awareness among the residents on the importance of segregating waste before giving it to the pourakarmikas, who take it from their doorsteps. We have distributed 15,000 dustbins and eliminated several black spots in Shivajinagar.