ET Focus: Hagadur hurdle, uneven roads, footpaths

By J Vignesh

BENGALURU: The most immediate connection Bengalureans can make with Hagadur is this: the Varthur Kodi lake, which belched toxic foam some weeks ago, falls in this corporation ward.

Although it lies in the bustling Whitefield area, it continues to function like it did in its bygone city municipal council (CMC) days. All the 20 localities that fall in it have poor roads, not to mention a host of other issues that plague every locality in the city.

Nanjappan KS, a software engineer with Har man India and resident of Hagadur, said: “Even if they lay new roads, no one bothers to see if the quality is good.“

One part of the crucial SiddapuraNallurhalli main road that connects Hagadur to the Inter national Technology Park has been dug up while the other part is dotted with potholes. As a result, commuters face traffic snarls on working days.“Vehicles literally move inch-byinch,“ said Manikanta K, a baker.

The other concerns in the ward are non-contiguous footpaths, drinking water problems and polluted lakes. And citizens allege that the BBMP has done little or nothing to improve the conditions. “If there is any progress in the ward, it is due to citizen initiatives,“ said Arvind Keerthi, a community organiser.

On the Whitefield main road, which is another major thoroughfare, there are no public toilets. The pollution is high and small food stalls occupy the footpaths, leaving no place for people to walk, pointed out Ashok R, a stationery shop owner. The only notable public space is the park located in Whitefield's older locality -the Inner Circle.

According to residents, power cuts are commonplace. “Power goes for at least half an hour every day . Some days, it extends up to two hours,“ said Senthil Kumar, an employee with an MNC.

Abhimanyu Vishwanath Rai, a student whose nine-year-old sister was bitten by stray dogs three months ago, said a dozen dogs are menacing in the late hours.