BENGALURU: From schoolchildren to senior citizens, over 200 residents of Whitefield launched a silent protest against the apathy of BWSSB and BBMP, and demanding the restoration of the road and civic amenities on Wednesday morning on Borewell Road, Nallurhalli. They formed a human chain to cover the 1.5 km stretch from Post Office to Ambedkar Statue in one hour.
Bad roads, increasing pollution, garbage-strewn roads, fatal accidents due to rogue water tankers are some of the major issues the people face every day.
The protest in Hagadur ward drew people from far and near. Led by a band of drummers, the protesters held placards, wore black and donned masks symbolising the pathetic condition of one of the Whitefield’s oldest roads.
Children aged between 4 to 6 years were seen holding placards that read -- ‘We need good roads to commute to school.’
Many residents stood outside their homes in support of the march and a few office-goers took half-day leave to take part in the protest. “Everyday commuters and residents are suffering, especially, since BWSSB dug up the narrow road in August last year,” added Pravir Bagrodia, a member of Whitefield Rising.
Clare, a senior citizen and an Anglo-Indian residing at Whitefield for the last 20 years, said, “I reside on Borewell Road and every structure, be it roads, streetlights, pollution or sewage system, they have all gone from bad to worse. This is why we all are on the streets today protesting the negligence meted out to this locality.”
Zibi Jamal a member of Whitefield Rising, said, “Underground drainage work that started in August 2016 was supposed to be completed by October, but it is still going on even after repeated requests to BWSSB, BBMP and everyone concerned. Lack of footpaths and poor lighting further exacerbate the problems.”