Garbage disposal suffers; metro work creating traffic snarls in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: S Sreeram, 50, has been residing in the Rose Garden area of Sarakki in south Bengaluru for over 22 years. In recent times, the traffic congestion due to the ongoing metro project has only added to the alreadyexisting woes of the area -lack of basic sanitation and drainage facilities. "Only last week, they started to lay drainage pipes," he told ET. "Otherwise, the lack of basic sanitation and water supply is a major is sue here," he said.

The ward, which comprises Sarakki, LIC Quarters and JP Nagar 6th Phase localities, has seen uneven development over the years. While the areas to the east of the ward east of the ward are dominated by small settlements and slums, the ones on the other end sport urban residences.

Media professional Nagaraj Dixit, 52, who has lived here for ten years, said the encroachment of the Sarakki lakebed and its surrounding areas, including footpaths, has thrown up many issues like improper garbage disposal and tardy civic planning. "Sarakki Lake is on the heels of the Bellandur Lake. Sewage and garbage are constantly being dumped into it. There is a massive growth of weeds and it started froth ing recently," he pointed out.

Nagaraj added that ever since the right-turn at the Sarakki signal on Kanakapura Road has been blocked, also due to Metro work, anyone going towards Banashankari had to travel an additional three kilometres till Kadirenahalli for a right turn. Pedestrians near Sarakki Circle were also hassled due to the debris from the Metro construction work being scattered there.