Residents of Kamath Layout in Bengaluru cry for basic amenities
Bengaluru: Eighteen years after their locality was included under BBMP, residents of Kamath Layout in Channanayakana Palya, off Tumakuru Road, on the northwestern fringes of the city, are still waiting for basic amenities like safe roads and potable water.
The residents say they made several rounds to their elected representatives and offices of the civic agencies concerned, but solutions promised to arrive imminently remained elusive. The recent rain spell saw three trees uprooted, damaging a four-wheeler in the locality.
The locality has about 60-70 residential buildings and is home to about 500 people. While the locality's main road was asphalted, the eight cross roads have not been black-topped even once in the last two decades.
"In the beginning, we were told all roads would be asphalted after the sanitary and Cauvery pipelines were laid. This work was wrapped up before Covid. But after that, only the main road was asphalted. The eight cross roads are yet to get any facelift.
Their shoulder drains have been all but effaced," said Thammana Gowda, an advocate and resident of the layout for 13 years.
"The layout borewells have gone dry. BWSSB recently started supplying Cauvery water once a week, and even that is not regular.
This is despite many of us having paid the deposits," Gowda added. Umesh Murthy, another advocate who has lived in Kamath Layout since 2013, said the condition of the roads worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. "Before that, there was at least some activity — engineers used to inspect the area.
Now, nobody bothers. BWSSB dug up the roads for Cauvery pipeline work, but never restored them properly," he told TOI.
"We even had to repair the layout gate ourselves.
It's embarrassing that after all these years, we still lack basic infrastructure and have to fend for ourselves," said Murthy. The asphalted main road too has been of little solace for residents. The road caved in at two places on multiple occasions, and residents living near the spots are often seen filling them up on their own out of concern for motorists.
Stray dogs are another big menace. "There have been multiple dog bite incidents, and streetlights stop working regularly.
We live within BBMP limits, yet it feels like we're in a neglected corner outside the city. We're not asking for luxuries — just the basics," said Rajaram Shetty, a retired bank employee. Shanta Balasubramanya, an 84-year-old resident of the layout for 15 years, said, "After the cross roads were dug up to lay water and sanitary pipelines, stepping out for a short walk too has become a risky affair for senior citizens like me.
"
After repeated requests, local MLA ST Somashekar reportedly intervened and got borewells dug up about two years ago. But residents say borewells have since dried up, forcing them to rely entirely on private water tankers. "My monthly tanker bill hovers between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000, depending on the water scarcity situation," added Shanta.
BWSSB officials said water testing is currently underway and regular supply of Cauvery water to the layout will begin in a few weeks. "We want to ensure proper water flow and check for pipeline damages. In 2–3 weeks, the locality should receive regular Cauvery water supply," a senior official said.
MLA ST Somashekar assured residents once BWSSB completes its work, roads will be laid immediately.
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