More than just one problem

BANGALORE: The residents of Saraipalya are facing a lot of problems when it comes to the basic amenities that are provided there.The residential area lacks proper drains, roads, regular supply of drinking water, streetlights and proper garbage disposal. The layout was built without providing proper sanitation facilities for the residents. Sewage pits are dug outside each house. According to the residents, when these pits overflow, they hire external agencies to clear it.Gayathri, a resident of the area said, “Apart from the lack of proper sanitary pipes this area does not even have facilities for draining rain water. The area gets flooded when it rains.” The area also lacks proper roads. All the roads in Saraipalya are uneven mud roads.What makes matters worse for the residents is the fact that the locality also lacks streetlights. “There are no streetlights here. As a result walking on the mud roads after dark becomes very treacherous. Since the road is uneven and bumpy, chances of someone tripping and falling are high,” said another resident.According to Sushma, another resident of the area said, “We do not get Cauvery water here. We only get borewell water. Also, there is a broken bridge. Last year a young girl lost her life after falling off the bridge. We have complained many times, but the corporator has not done anything.”   Garbage is another problem that the residents are struggling to deal with. Like most other localities in the city, vacant spots are treated like the common dumping ground.  To add to it, the garbage from these empty plots have not been cleared for years together. As a result, they have not become the breeding ground for many diseases. Another problem that the residents complained about was the lack of public toilets. When City Express contacted the local corporator of Saraipalya, Lalitha, she refused to take the call, instead her husband spoke on her behalf. He claimed that the area has no problems even though the residents have voiced their problems. However, on further probing he said, “I don’t think there are any problems in this area. However, if there are any, I will look into the matter and urge the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to solve all the issues soon.”