TenderSure: Here, it's a way to dusty path in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: They say Rome was not built in a day, but the residents of Jayanagar 11th Main are wondering if their ‘Rome’ will ever see the light of the day! When the state government promised to build roads on a par with international standards, as part of Tendersure project, it was widely welcomed.

There was euphoria when South Bengaluru made it to the list of areas chosen for the project. However, even a year after the project was kicked off, forget international standard roads, the residents are left with no roads at all!

Mukunda R., a resident of Jayanagar, said, “We welcome the government’s decision to build good roads. But that does not mean the works should go on for years. In the last year, we stopped opening our windows fearing dust. Now that the summer is at its peak, it’s impossible to keep windows shut. With windows open, we fear dust allergies and infections.”

The plight of hawkers, who have to be on the street all through the day, is even more miserable. Muniyamma, who’s been selling flowers on Jayanagar 11th Main for decades, loses temper when asked about the road works. “What road are they building which takes so long to complete?

All we are left with is dust and pollution. The slow pace of work is affecting my business and I often don’t sell half my flowers. Is the government even bothered about our conditions?” she said.

The once-wide-footpath is now dotted with hillocks of mud, stones and tiles. The summer dryness has made the area dusty. As if that were nor enough, motorists often indulge in road rage, putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.

Ashish Jain, who boards a cab to work from Jayanagar 11th Main, complained, “It has become very difficult to wait in this dry and dusty summer. The 11th Main is a busy junction and without a footpath, we have no alternative but to walk on the road. The traffic is extremely dangerous and there are no streetlights. Shouldn’t the government be finishing the works soon?”

The government’s latest assurance is that the road will be open to public by November, and the residents are hoping that at least this time they will walk the talk!