Sarakki: A civic and traffic nightmare

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: BBMP ’s ward number 178 covers the Sarakki market and junction and the area falls under the Jayanagar Assembly Constituency. The ward has a total population of 26,707 (13,870 men and 12837 women) and the current Corporator of the area is SK Nataraj.

The market lays out the freshest produce of fruits, vegetables and f lowers early in the morning, with many auto-rickshaws and collecting vehicles causing a ruckus during the rush hour. The Sarakki junction is notorious for traffic snarls, and on weekdays office goers have a tough time negotiating the traffic.

The Banashankari BMTC Bus Stop sees a constant passing of public buses and pedestrian movement. The area has a high air pollution rate and is often covered with dust. Naresh Surajan Murthy, a resident of Banashankari and a shop owner at Sarakki market said, “It is uneasy to sell of the fresh produce in a day, so a lot of it gets rotten, this attracts cows who often hold up traffic movement. The area operates like a circus, with many people running around, even the pathways have been encroached on by local vendors, leaving very little space for pedestrians.”

The careless dumping of garbage near Sarakki market poses a health hazard to local residents, especially students . The area lacks a designated spot for waste management or a collection unit. The lack of dustbins invites cows and other animals in the area to feed on plastic and other harmful substances.

The road leading to Jaya Prakash Metro station has many garbage black spots and the whole area reeks of foul smell. Many alleys and corners lack any garbage collection mechanism. Urchins and rag pickers are often seen picking collectables for a bare minimum daily wages. The shopkeepers complain that the garbage truck is almost never around.

The Bruhat Mahanagara Bengularu Palike officials refused to comment on the matter. Krishna Murli, a daily commuter, and working for a multinational brand said, “Four-wheelers move at the speed of a bicycle at Sarakki and the neglect of the area is very apparent. I leave my house at least two hours early, but still end up getting stuck.

The garbage smell makes it almost unbearable even for covered vehicle owners, I can only imagine the situation of two-wheeler vehicles. A lot of rash riding by youngsters has made it very difficult to drive.”The residents have raised the issue with officials but action has taken place. Police authorities say that major crimes in the area are extortion and robbery.

A traffic policeman said, “It is challenging traffic and we are prepared for it but sudden situations require quick action which our team of officers maintain. Apart from that, we catch traffic violations and safety gearrelated violations in this area. Many people even try to ride their vehicles over pedestrian paths to cut down on travel time, but land up getting stuck further or worse, injured.”

For individuals belonging to the below poverty line live in miserable and unhygienic conditions. They reside in tents and defecate in the open.