BANGALORE: Often, looks are said to be deceptive. But so can be the names, and keeping up with the same is the Broadway Road in Shivajinagar. The road in piteous condition is in no state to emulate the epithet, all thanks to the negligence exhibited on the part of the authorities concerned. The apathy strikes as soon as one enters the stretch, just opposite the Russel Market. The lane has as many as over 50 huge sanitary pipes left unattended, cluttering the area and occupying a considerable amount of the road space. Garbage scattered everywhere, filth on the road, open drains, broken pavements, unbearable traffic and a terrible stench are some of the glaring issues, and all of the above problems can be attributed to over 50 monstrous pipes left ‘gracefully’ on the stretch.Where did they come from?Residents say that the pipes are lying on the road since the last nine months. “It seems like it has been ages since these pipes have been left here making the situation deplorable . The local area corporator got them saying that these will be used to replace the old sanitary pipes but nothing has been done yet,” said Amir Mohammad, a shop owner. Lying on both the sides of the road, these pipes (each with a diameter of not less than 36 inches) seem to be a trail, residents cannot get rid off soon. RepercussionsThe huge sanitary pipes have turned out to be the dwells for ragpickers and beggars, imposing threat to the residents’ security. “Beggars and ragpickers sleep inside these huge bunks. These pipes have put our security at stake, leave alone issue like traffic and health,” said Khurram Khan, a resident.But there are many more serious threats lurking and the next to follow is the unhygienic condition created due to these pipes. The area with mud and filth scattered all over, has an unbearable stench and one cannot cross the lane without covering the nose. Stray dogs and cows feeding on the garbage is another common sight. Garbage scattered all around these pipes and also inside them has polluted the entire environment and these pipes have become a haven for mosquitoes and flies to breed. “For the past many months, I have been reaching out to the area corporator but my plea has gone unheard. Moreover, the situation becomes grim when the BBMP pourakarmikas throw waste on the roads, and inside these pipes,” rued a shop owner on the condition of anonymity. The pipes are also making space for the autorickshaws to be parked, owing to the area they cover on either side of the road. Autos conveniently park in the slots created by the pipes, further choking the traffic and making the two-way road, a nightmare for the commuters. “I try my best not to use this stretch looking at the condition and the time it consumes to cross it. These pipes have eaten up half of the original width of the road. The traffic is chaotic and the stench terrible,” said Sreenivas, a commuter.When City Express spoke to an auto driver, he said, “This is not an auto stand but the pipes lying on the road give us enough space to park. We are not the ones who are blocking the road or troubling the traffic. We will move out once these pipes are removed.” Residents’ voiceResidents say that the only way they want this problem to be solved is by removing these pipes. “Nine months are more than enough for any work to be completed. They are lying in front of our shops and creating nuances,” said Abdul Majeer, a shop owner.The never ending miseryThe area has a long list of problems and authorities seem to have turned a blind eye towards all of it. Apart from the sanitary pipes on the road, open drains and broken pavements are some other issues hitting the residents hard. When, a few days ago, the BBMP cleaned the drain, everyone was left pleasantly surprised by the move. But soon the residents were wishing that the drain was never cleared in the first place. “The BBMP cleaned the drain about a month ago but it seems that they forgot to cover it. And owing to the same, it is filled with garbage again. The filthy water is inside our shops everytime it rains and the water stinks to an extent that it becomes difficult to breathe,” said a shopkeeper on the condition of anonymity.Blame gameAnd those who are holding the offices and are responsible for creating the mess are busy playing the blame game. When City Express approached the area corporator, Fareeda she said, “These pipes have been left by the Waste Water Management people. Despite the fact that I have called them many times and asked them to remove it, they are not responding.”When we got in touch with the executive engineer, Waste Water Management division II, BWSSB he said, “We will start the work on the Broadway Road very soon, that is, the first week of September. We are laying these sanitary pipes from Millers Road and soon will be taking up the Broadway road as well.”
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