BENGALURU: Residents of Sobha Suncrest and Sobha Hill View in south-west Bengaluru have their “own bus”, given to them by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), to connect the isolated apartments to the rest of the city.
The residents had been suffering because of the poor public transport, ever since they moved into the complexes in Nagegowdanapalya and Talaghattapura in 2009. While the well-off residents could manage with private vehicles, their domestic staff were forced to walk 1.5 km to the nearest bus stop on Kanakapura road. Buses go through Nagegowdanapalya village, but its congested, narrow roads would hold up the commute by half an hour.
Kavitha, the maid who works with Sobha Hill View, is happy that she does not have to walk anymore. “Earlier, there were no autos and I had to walk for 3 km every day. I come all the way from Kathrukuppe (about 15 km away) and work in Jyothi farms as well as Sobha Hill View. I had to walk for more than a km to take a bus, but now it is much easier to get back home,” she says.
In August 2015, representatives from both complexes approached the BMTC officials. The depot 20 manager, Uma, who spoke to them asked them to send in an application. They were heard out and their worries were eased when the official assured them that it can be resolved. “On November 17, an application was sent to the General Manager of BMTC requesting a bus that would come closer to the complexes, for better connectivity,” says PC Lahiri, who has been leading the residents’ intiative at Sobha Suncrest.
BMTC complied and a bus with the number 212C was sanctioned, which ferries residents, construction workers in upcoming complexes and domestic staff four times a day, the first pick up at 10 am, bang opposite the entrance. The bus service was inaugurated on January 17 in the presence of 200 residents from both the complexes. The driver and the conductors were also facilitated.
Though, they feel less isolated, the residents have written to the BMTC last month for another bus and for better planned routes. “The second bus comes at 2:30 pm, so I have to hurry after work at 1 pm. The bus is sometimes overcrowded. The single route from Kanakapura road to KR market has to change,“ says Kavitha.
The residents have also sorted out a bad road, connecting the apartments to Kanakpura Road, after repeated meetings with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) officials over the last year.
This side road, off Kanakpura road, on which the Sobha Apartments is located, has constructions by builders such as Mantri, Prestige and Haravijaya. A perpendicular pipeline road is constantly in a state of disrepair for the laying of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board (BWSSB) pipes.
Lahiri wrote a letter to the BBMP Chief Engineer of Rajarajeshwari, Vijay Kumar, listing out the civic issues, particularly this bad internal road. Nothing materialised in 2014. It was when Lahiri started speaking to the builders that he was told about BDA’s responsibility.
After five visits to BDA offices last year, Assistant Executive Engineer Honnaraj agreed to conduct a survey of the road, says Lahiri. A map was drawn to identify where the BDA roads are. The result of the survey conducted 45 days ago showed that three fourths of the road came under the BDA’s authority.
For the past 15 days, the road is being relaid by the BDA.
BMTC officials said that according to the requirements of citizens or aggrieved party, they usually conduct a survey to see if there is a need. In this case, as requested by the residents, there was a need and it was given. A bus was already operational on the route, but it was extended by a km for the sake of the residents. The officials say that they had nothing to do with the inauguration, but are happy with the residents’ initiative. For ease of traffic, the drivers should consider taking a right turn from Nice road.
Funds were Short, says BDA Officer
Interview with BDA Assistant Chief Engineer, Honnaraj
Why did it take one year and running around to asphalt the road?
A: There was a shortage of funds as it costs Rs 50 lakhs. It took a while for us to prepare the road estimate. When it was sanctioned, we started the work immediately
How much repair does the road need?
A: The top surface has worn out. One more layer is being added. The adjacent road, to the pipeline road, is also being repaired in the same way. We are asphalting these roads again.
Is there confusion with who should repair the road-BBMP or BDA?
A: As BDA has formed this layout, it is their duty to look into this. Ward 198 has yet to come under the BBMP limit.
What was the result of the survey?
A: We were able to demarcate how much belongs to the builders. Hundred meters outside the apartments, belongs to them. The rest belongs to the BDA.