From the drain and to the streets

BANGALORE: As you walk down Commercial Street and make your way to Kamaraj Road, you will sure be overcome by a not-so-pleasant odour. Nala Road, that runs along Kamaraj Road is the cause of this nuisance. As the name signifies, a huge Storm Water Drain (SWD) runs across this road, and it comes as no surprise that the drain is extremely filthy.Recently, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) broke the fenced wall of this SWD in order to clean the garbage and plastic wastes blocking it. Though the BBMP took the initiative to clean up the drain, the work is half done as the authorities did not take any measure to mend the broken wall of  this drain. The traffic that flows on the road that runs parallel to this drain has quite a lot of pedestrians too, and people are worried about the risk the drain poses as it has no walls. “There are chances of people falling into the drain and being swept away,” said Shalu, a pedestrian. Rajesh who owns a garage next to the drain said, “The authorities cleaned the drain but they did not construct the wall back. When it rains the drain overflows and the water flows to the roads, creating problems for us and the commuters”. At the farther end of the drain, where there are houses, the condition becomes deplorable when it rains. Since the SWD doesn’t have a fencing, when it rains, the water flows into the houses. Next to the SWD is a government boys’ hostel that provides shelter for underprivileged children. When it rains, these little boys too are not spared. Syed a resident expressed his grievance, “It’s terrible when it rains. The water flows into our homes with all the dirt. Mosquitoes from the storm water drain is another problem.”The problem here seems to be overflowing to nearby streets also. A few steps from Nala Road is Veerapillai Street, where there is a broken drain clogged with plastic bags and garbage. Drain water here too overflows on to the roads.Samat who runs a shop on the lane said, “This drain has been overflowing for a long time. Dirt gets collected in it and mosquitoes breed here. The drain is left uncovered. The garbage that is piled around the drain attracts rats and stray dogs.” Veerapillai Street is a part of Commercial Street and this drain gives a gloomy picture of the entire area.Anant Swamy who is responsible for SWD said, “We will do the needful as soon as possible.” The residents and shopkeepers are hopeful. But how long will they have to wait? They say they are keeping their fingers crossed.