Shivaji Nagar: Blighted by black spots, high crime rate

Vasudha Zora I NT

Bengaluru: BBMP ward no 92 – Shivaji Nagar is home to popular markets, historic places of worship and localities dating back to the British Raj era. The ward is home to Russell Market, which has a rich history and continues to be a hub of various businesses ranging from daily essentials to home décor, fabrics, clothes, accessories, bags, and just about anything, at affordable prices.

The shopping market was built by the British in 1927 and was inaugurated by Ismail Sait in 1933. Since then the market has grown massively in terms of a wide variety of product lines and clientele. With a growing population density of 28,157 people per km, the ward faces a huge challenge in providing ample space and infrastructure for its residents.

Their prime concerns include poor garbage collection, high crime rate, poor condition of some of the old buildings and potholed roads. They alleged the BBMP authorities have done little to mitigate their misery. Christina, who resides near St Mary's Basilica Church, said, “It is unsafe to walk the market streets at any given time of the day, as there are many chain and phone snatchers. Under the pretext of asking for help or offering help they trick people and loot them.”

As for garbage, she said, “The BBMP officials have very carelessly dealt with the garbage situation, they have instructed the shopkeepers and residents to du mp their garbage at particular spots, but due to lack of garbage bins or a waste management unit, people have started dumping their garbage everywhere. Due to this, the area stinks all through the day.”

She said while directing the News Trail reporter at black spots in the nearby streets. The contents of the garbage are not segregated and are kept to rot together. These are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the wards has a high caseload of dengue. Many buildings are in a dilapidated state and face seepage during rains.

They have fungi and bacteria growth on the walls, thereby making the structure weak. Many vendors and shop owners store waste materials from their shops on the roofs of these weak buildings and is unsafe for passersby. In some abandoned structures, the roof has fallen off and some were in a vandalized state.

The dust that settles on these abolished buildings pose a hazard to those suffering from pulmonary and chest health problems. According to Mohsina, a resident of a street close to the entrance of Russell market and the working woman, “The area houses some of the worst drug peddlers and activities. You

these crushing crystals and popping psychedelic pills have become a common sight ever since Inspector Ansar Bekh was transferred. The fear of cops has vanished after he left. Now such things happen in broad daylight.” She felt the current cops have barely responded to her complaints on the issue and many seem disinterested or bribed.” She concluded.

The street on which Mohsina lives has an open dump owned privately, the owners of the land have very little care for their neighbors and have planned nothing to free the area of dangerous garbage. As per police authorities, cases related to phone and chain snatching are the common trends of crime in the area alongside eve teasing and harassment.

We usually patrol in civilian clothing in order to go to the depths of the matter,” said a police constable. The area is also prone to flooding during wet spells. Many shopkeepers complained that tin-based covers that they use as makeshift roofs have been melting and corroding. The worst hit are those living below the poverty line, comprising beggars and urchins.