Bagalakote: Garbage lying everywhere. The thorny knobs have grown up obstructing the traffic. The best drains are filled with filth and stinking. The residents are troubled by the pigs!! The slum dwellers of Navanagara in Bagalakote, are facing not one but series of problems.
The poor and labourers living here are finding it difficult to survive on a daily basis. The houses are surrounded by filth. The mosquitoes and the pigs are troublesome. There is constant illness without cleanliness. Residents here hence are not experiencing a peaceful life.
Municipal Councillors and Corporators have been neglecting the area. The residents have been cursing them. There are 650 houses in Vajpayee Colony on the outskirts of Navanagara, 900 in Rajiv Gandhi Colony, 920 in Ashraya Colony and an estimated 880 in Vambe Colony. More than 5,000 to 6,000 people live in these areas. A well-equipped colony has not been constructed and adequate facilities have not been provided despite expending crores of rupees. The lack of basic amenities is evident. Thus, all these colonies have been labelled as slum dwellers.
The roads inside the colony have not been asphalted for the last 5 to 6 years. The roads have been completely damaged due to the rain. Everyday, bikers, cyclists, children and the aged people are getting injured. They are walking on the road in fear. Only the main roads have seen improvement. The drainage system has completely deteriorated. The drains are covered with filth. It’s full of garbage, If it rains the dirty water from the drain flow all over the road.
As the areas are mosquito-ridden, the residents have fallen ill and are wandering to the hospital on a daily basis. 24×7 water supply was assured but the water was not provided properly. The water is not enough as only one hour of water is being pumped into the normal tap only twice a week.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka Muncipality Commissioner Vasanna said, “Vajpayee Colony, Rajiv Gandhi Ashraya, and Wambe Colony issues have come to our notice. I have visited the areas 4-5 times since I have come. Every colony will be cleaned in a phased manner. The problem of street lights and drinking water will be solved. There is also a responsibility of the residents in terms of cleanliness. Cleanliness should be maintained voluntarily.”
