Shantala Nagar plagued by garbage stench

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru:

BBMP’s ward 111 (Shantala Nagar) houses some of the most notoriously shabby localities and a disturbing truth that very few take notice of. As per BBMP data, Shantala Nagar has a population of 22,995, with a literacy rate of 87.5 per cent and sex ratio being 996.

The ward is home to many government and private establishments, many prominent eatery outlets are available for the people to unwind and the road also has a variety of businesses ranging from small, medium and large business sectors.

Queens Road, Cunningham Road, Infantry Road and Shivajinagar Road are often dogged with chock-a-block traffic. Reshma, a student of a fashion design says, “In order to buy cheaper materials, I look towards local markets, I also checkout the posh area to look for newer trends and as I am on foot in this discovery, it has been a complete displeasure.”

She also added, “I do not feel safe walking on these roads in the evening and even afternoon due to the constant stench that lingers and the lack of footpaths with the crazy weekend vehicular traffic.” The ward comprises many badly lit roads and random objects are placed on footpaths that block pedestrian path.

The garbage dumped in these areas, disintegrates over time and produces an unbearable pungent smell, coupled with filthy smell caused due to open urination. The area barely has a proper disposal unit for the garbage, let alone a segregation unit.

On the weekend, the roads can be seen with trash of all types thrown, children accompanying their parents for special weekend meals outside are one of the biggest litterer’s and most of them have a very normalised dumping trash directly on the street. Many from slums defecate in the open.

The ward has many abandoned buildings that are moulding away, and they have been reduced to dumping grounds. Rani Deb, a daily wage worker living in a tent said, “I collect all the useful trash and try to sell it to my scrap dealer in order to earn an extra buck. I would want to live in a place that doesn’t constantly smell like this.

It has caused me many illnesses and due to my circumstances, it becomes hard for me to afford medical help regularly.” The area is notorious for petty crimes such as robbery, gang fights and extortion. Some of the restaurants and pubs in the area have scant regards to closing time and other rules laid down by the civic authorities.

The police conduct regular patrol conduct drives against traffic violations. When News Trail tried to contact the officials responsible for the management of these roads, they refused to comment. Attempts to contact their higher ups did not elicit any response. The area needs an urgent cleanness drive, and regular maintenance