It’s the same old story, this time in Jayanagar

BWSSB digs up the roads, leaves mud-heaped on footpaths at LIC Colony; residents can’t take vehicles in and out of their compounds

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials have not learnt any lessons from their previous mistakes. After Cambridge Layout residents raised a ruckus for the laying of sewerage lines to be completed, the scene has now shifted to South Bangalore.

Residents of LIC Colony 1st Cross near Jayanagar are now facing a problem. They allege that the BWSSB has laid a water pipeline and sewerage lines, but they have not restored the road. So cars and other vehicles cannot be removed from homes since almost five months for around 100 residents of 1st cross.

Mud has been left behind heaped on footpaths. Venkatesh Raju, a resident of the same street said, “A few months back, the road was dug up to lay new water pipes. About two months back, the opposite side of the road was also dug up to replace sewerage lines. The lines were old and were residents had welcomed this. But the road has not been restored.

‘’Debris is not cleared even after close to one-and-a-half months after the completion of the work. We cannot even open our gates and come out freely. The dust and mud on the road is so much that many children and the elderly are already suffering from allergy and respiratory conditions. Children have stopped playing outside and people cannot even open their windows due to huge amount of dust that gets kicked up whenever a vehicle passes by,’’ he said.

“We have given numerous complaints to BBMP and BWSSB. We only have assurances, no concrete action. We are just wondering at what cost this kind of development work was undertaken”, another resident said.

Byrasandra ward corproator N Nagaraju said, “The problem has come to my notice and the residents had approached me. Not only on the 1st cross of the LIC Layout road, BWSSB has taken up work in the entire Jayanagar assembly constituency. Everywhere, BWSSB officials have not completed their work properly. Because of their negligence, the blame falls on the BBMP. I will ensure that the debris is removed .”

BWSSB's assistant executive engineer (South West 4) Rajeev said, “I am aware that mud is left behind and still the work is going on. But I will make sure that the mud in front of the gates is removed and the residents are't forced to suffer.”