Frustrated by years of inaction, residents of a large apartment complex in Jalahalli East have been pooling funds annually to maintain a 100-metre stretch of road that becomes nearly unusable during the monsoon.
Residents of the Shriram Sameeksha apartment complex, home to more than 1,000 families, said they spend around ₹80,000 each year to lay jelly stones on the road connecting Gangamma Gudi Police Station Road and Kuvempunagar.
Residents seek lasting solution
According to residents, repeated appeals to civic authorities and elected representatives over the years have failed to yield a permanent solution.
“We submitted written representations and officials also visited the location, but no concrete action has been taken,” said Unni Krishnan Menon, a retired Navy veteran and resident of the complex.
Residents said the undeveloped stretch has also become a dumping ground, while anti-social activities have emerged in the area.
“The road has become a hotspot for illegal dumping. There is also the issue of drug addicts frequenting the stretch,” said resident Vivek Balaji.
Legal dispute stalls development
Residents claim that a land ownership dispute has prevented government agencies from carrying out permanent road development works.
The poor condition of the road has also affected access to drinking water connections and BMTC bus services in the locality.
“The road has been used as an important connector for over a decade. Several commuters have suffered injuries after falling on the stretch. At the very least, it should be made safe until the legal issues are resolved,” said Natesh Muthanna, Secretary of the Shriram Sameeksha Apartment Owners’ Association.
Officials from the Bengaluru North City Corporation said efforts had been made to obtain clearance from the landowner for road development.
Executive Engineer Nagappa Kamati said the corporation is prepared to asphalt the road once the required permissions are secured.