Bengaluru: The usual tactic of the civic authorities to buy time has proven costly to the residents of the 8th main, Radhakrishna Layout at Padmanabhanagara.
The sewerage pipeline in the locality was laid around 25 years ago when the layout was supposedly formed. The porcelain pipe of 6 inches was laid 10-12 feet below the ground which is now prone to continuous blockage.
“Sewerage in the houses will get blocked after which we call the trucks which sometimes delay in the arrival. It results in the foul smell emanating from the houses since the pipeline gets choked,” says G.S. Prabhakar, a resident who has been fighting to get the proper pipeline to the houses in the locality for the past one year.
“There was a time when we had to get the food from outside as the pungent smell did not allow us to prepare the food in the house,” Prabhakar added.
The residents only demand is to replace the six-inch pipeline with the nine-inch sewerage pipe connection to more than 15 houses which are facing the havoc. They go on to say that the length between 2 and 3 cross is hardly 100 feet and it would not cost the department much.
Disappointed with the lackadaisical attitude of the civic authorities, Deepak, who stays in one of the affected houses, said, “We have talked to the councillor but no action has been taken. Whenever it rains the dust around the manhole gets accumulated and chokes the pipe thereby further aggravating the issue.”
Another resident Lakman Singh pointed out that it is not only few houses, but an entire lane has been affected.
The debris from nearby houses also enters in the manhole.
“The curing of the manhole was not done properly. There is a huge problem with the design. The debris from nearby houses also enters in the manhole. Even the roads have to be constructed. There is hardly any help from the administration and the corporator,” Singh said.
Citing another instance of apathy by government agencies, Thimmaiah said, “Last time we toiled a lot to get a slanted tree removed which on any unfortunate day could have fallen over the high tension wires.”
The administration should address these issues, given that there are many senior citizens residing in the area.
The sewerage pipeline at Radhakrishna Layout in Padmanabhanagar was laid around 25 years ago and currently it is woefully inadequate to cater to the area’s population and often gets blocked. Though the residents have been demanding an upgrade of the pipeline for a long time, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
‘Work has started, problem will be resolved soon’
Q&A with corporator Shobha Anjanappa
The 8th main area of Radhakrishna Layout has a sewerage problem. Are you aware of this issue?
As far as I know, the work has started and it will be resolved soon. On Friday, we held a meeting to discuss this issue and will try to resolve it very soon. The problem is related to a storm water drain.
Nearly 15 houses are affected because of the sanitary issues. When can the area expect respite?
Some part of the work on the 8th Main was completed and only a part of it is left. The inspection is on and the leftover works will be completed soon, not only on 8th Main, but also other areas.”
The road is riddled with potholes. Any progress on the issue?
Yes, the area has a problem of footpath, drainage and road. As I said, the work has already been initiated and the inspection is going on. We will check the issues once again.
