BBMP’s apathy puts Old Market Road residents in a spot

Residents of Old Market Road and Nala Road in Shivajinagar have been fuming over the delay in starting the construction of the retaining wall of a stormwater drain that was demolished by the BBMP two years ago. The civic body authorities have been visiting the spot but no action has been taken so far.

According to residents, the BBMP authorities demolished the retaining wall and removed around 10 petty shops that were dealing in scrap material. “They demolished the retaining wall and removed the shops on the pretext of strengthening the stormwater drain. It is almost two years since the wall was demolished, but BBMP has done nothing to construct it except dumping some
concrete pipes near the drain,’’ said M Ramesh, a shop owner.

The residents complain that stormwater from the drain overflows during monsoon. According to them, the BBMP authorities have not taken any measures to mitigate their woes though they have filed several complaints. “We have to struggle a lot during the monsoon. Water enters our shops and homes whenever it rains as the drain does not have the retaining wall. I have already complained about this to the corporator and MLA but nothing has been done,’’ said S Krishnamurthy, a scrap dealer at Old Market Road.

The stormwater drain has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. Some of the petty businessmen at Old Market Road have to depend on mosquito repellents to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Around 60 inmates of the Government Hostel for Boys are the worst affected due to negligence of the authorities concerned. “We have to be extra cautious to safeguard the boys since the storm water drain has no retaining wall. It will greatly help us if the authorities concerned ensure the construction of retaining wall as early as possible. They should also make efforts to clear the silt from the drain to prevent stagnation of water,’’ said Ananditha, the hostel warden.

Shakeel Ahmed, corporator, Shivajinagar, said he was fed up with the apathetic attitude of BBMP authorities. Ahmed said the BBMP commissioner and engineers have been inspecting the spot but no action has been taken so far. “It is disgusting that there is no progress in the stormwater drain work. I have already told HC Ananthaswamy, chief engineer, (stormwater drains) to take measures to start the work but he has been postponing it. I have no other option than staging a dharna if the BBMP authorities continue to neglect the construction of the retaining wall,’’ he said.

Ananthaswamy said the BBMP had floated tenders more than six months ago inviting bidders to take up the development of storm water drain but no one evinced interest.

“We have floated tenders recently. We have also awarded the contract for the development of stormwater drain. I expect the contractor to commence the work within a few weeks. The BBMP allocated around `8 crore for the purpose,’’ he said.

Will the contractor take up the work as promised by Ananthaswamy within a few weeks? Residents have to wait and watch.