Non-stop traffic drives Konena Agrahara crazy

BENGALURU: For residents of Konena Agrahara, the chock-ablock traffic on Old Airport Road is just one of the everyday problems they face.

In recent years, localities such as Vinayaka Nagar, Rustam Bagh and Murugeshpalya have seen a spurt in apartment complexes. The vicinity is dotted with several IT companies that are situated mainly on the Old Airport and Wind Tunnel Roads.

The infrastructure to support the growth is lacking, residents point out.

“The road from Manipal Hospital towards Rustam Bagh is very narrow. There's hardly any place left when two cars go.There's an urgent need to widen the road,“ said Mythili Rajagopalachari, a resident at Oxford Manor apartments in Rustam Bagh layout.

Wind Tunnel Road, for instance, has a garbage collection point that has become “an open dump yard,“ according to resident Suresh Sanyasi.

“I'm composting my kitchen waste but I face the challenge of disposing of my garden waste, thanks to irregular garbage collection,“ he said.

The Konena Agrahara ward also houses landmarks such as Diamond District (a gated community) and the sprawling Karnataka Golf Association (KGA). The traffic situation on Old Airport Road remains a major concern for residents as well as working professionals. “We have a national pride in KGA sports complex, which hosts international events. The road, however, is pathetic. On one side of the KGA road is an open BBMP land where garbage is dumped. It's stinking,“ said Col (retd) Mohan Singh Jasrotia, a Diamond District resident.

The BDA layout in the ward suffers from a host of problems, especially poor underground drainage. “Overflowing sewage is common in many areas,“ said KPR Kutty , a retired HAL sanitary board officer. “Due to choked drains, water gets into houses, but authorities aren't bothered.“