Give us this day our easy commute: Upkar layout residents to BBMP

Nischith N | NT

For 12 long years, residents of the relatively new layout in ward number 130 have been waiting for the basic amenities first its private developer and later the BBMP assured them. Complaints to the civic agency have hitherto drawn a blank. With MLA ST Somashekar promising them the release of funds to asphalt roads in the area and completion of development works within three months, people of the area have found new hope, notes Nischith N.

As Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike gears up for polls after one-and-a-half years, a few areas on the city’s outskirts are experiencing the feel of tar. But the wait for residents of Upkar Layout in Ullal ward (number 130) for the smoother ride that asphalted roads offer is yet to end.

A number of complaints they have made about their roads being “not motorable” for over 12 years now have “fallen on deaf ears”. In fact, roads in the layout situated in south-west Bengaluru has now turned into a dirt track with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board having dug up a number of to lay pipes, residents rue.

“Motorists get stuck with wheels of their vehicles sinking in the slushy roads, and residents are clueless as to where to go to have the issue resolved. The stretch is spread over 72 acres and finding the right place to register a complaint is a big challenge. We have raised the issue a number of times, but nothing has changed,” narrated Keerthi Kumar, a member of Upkar Layout Residents’ Welfare Association, to News Trial.

Upkar Layout falls under Yeswantpur Assembly constituency and has 750-plus households with close to 3,000 residents. They say most of the time, ward officials blame the government, and the common reason cited is funds crunch.

Ranjeetha, who has been staying in the layout for over five years now, said, “I am a homemaker and drop my children to school on a two-wheeler, which is psychologically not easy for me because accidents are a common occurrence here. Our children love to ride a bicycle in the evening, but we are scared to let them out because of the poor conditions of the roads, most of which are poorly lit. We have raised the issue with local-level officers as well as senior officials of the BBMP, but it has made no difference.”

According to reports, the layout was developed by a private builder in 2004. About 1,340 sites of different dimensions are spread across the 72 acres in 4 blocks; North, Souh, East and West. It was subsequently handed over to the local civic body.

To provide civic services to the 12 lakh residents living in 110 village limits on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the BBMP initiated the BWSSB pipeline work. Upkar Layout is one of several areas that have been experiencing further-deteriorated roads as a consequence.

Dr Ravi Kumar, president of the Association, said, “We have written to everyone, including engineers, BBMP chief commissioner and MLAs. We intend to meet them to explain the poor conditions of roads here. Whenever it rains, water flows onto the streets as drains in the area are also in a bad shape. Rain makes walking and motoring difficult. After a number of requests, cement concrete drains were built here recently, but only in 50 per cent of the layout.”

Dry weather does not offer any reprieve from our misery, he went on. “During summer, the problem of dust allergy takes over. Asphalting roads of the entire layout and completion of CC drain works must be the first priority of the civic body. These issues need to be addressed at the earliest,” Ravi Kumar added.

The residents found new hope in the assurance made by local MLA ST Somashekar that the budget for asphalting roads in the layout will be released at the earliest and the entire process may take about three months. Ullal ward officials did not respond to calls.