Jurisdictional dispute stalls civic works, puts people at risk in south Bengaluru

Residents and commuters along the Rayasandra Circle-Choodasandra Circle on the southern outskirts of Bengaluru are facing serious hardships as incomplete sewage works and damaged roads make daily travel unsafe and life-threatening.

Drainage works have not been completed for several months, causing ditches to open, severely damaging roads and causing thousands of residents and commuters to suffer daily. | Photo Credit: Special Editing

The pain doesn’t end there. It extends from Doddamara Road to Kodathi and from Rayasandra Circle to Gattahalli. Residents living nearby claimed that the jurisdictional dispute between the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Shantipura Gram Panchayat has brought all development work to a halt.

The situation, which has been going on for several months, has left thousands of people struggling to navigate open ditches and potholes on the roads, with little sign of progress on repairs or maintenance.

Suresh Nair, a resident of an apartment complex on Hosa Road, said: Hindu It was stated that the sewerage work, which started a few months ago, was left incomplete, and open ditches and rubble piles pose a constant danger.

“The area near Mahaveer Ranches Apartments has become particularly dangerous. Open drains have worsened the already damaged road, making it almost impassable for two-wheelers and pedestrians. The road is so congested that it takes about 30 minutes to cover just 500 meters,” he said.

Sewerage works have been stopped for several months. | Photo Credit: Special Editing

“People risk their lives every day while passing through these roads,” said Nayan Jyoti Bhagwati, adding that many minor accidents have already occurred due to open drains and broken roads.

MLA M. Krishnappa told Hindu He said that he directed the immediate start of construction work. “I have also approached Shantipura Gram Panchayat to provide space for drainage outlets in Rayasandra Circle,” he said, adding that the problem will end soon.

The lack of coordination between different institutions had left people to bear the brunt of administrative negligence. However, after numerous complaints, work finally started on October 12.