An example of BMP's apathy towards amenities

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MAY 20. Streets lined with earthen pots, that was probably how Pottery Town got its name. The town, which lies between Williams Town and Tannery Road in Pulakeshinagar in the City, is a glaring example of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's apathy towards civic amenities to be had by right by the City's residents.

The area has a number of open drains overflowing with sewage and rain water which prove to be a health hazard to the residents. The drain passes in front of the St. Thangathai Church and a clinic, emanating stench and providing a breeding ground for disease-carrying flies and mosquitoes. There is also a hand-pump (borewell), hardly a few yards away from the open drain, which is used by the nearby slum-dwellers.

The area is reeking with decaying smell of meat, the source being the slaughterhouse, which is frequented by the area's stray dogs.

Dr. Maqsood Ahmed, a physician, said, ``the drain that runs in front of my clinic is a nuisance. When it rains, the drains overflow and cause problems. A number of water-borne diseases are being reported... gastroentritis is one of them.''

On the slaughterhouse, he said, ``everytime we complain, they get their act together and clean up the place, but after the protests die down, they are back to their old practices.''

Pottery Town is geographically a low-lying area because of which when it rains, drains overflow and various water-borne diseases spread. Garbage disposal in the area is pathetic due to which drains get clogged often. The condition of roads here is bad and invariably (they) ``disappear'' when it rains.

``When it rains, we have water up to our knees. My house was filled with water and we were helpless. We stay in these slums and no one helps us in times of need,'' an elderly resident said.

Most inhabitants of the area allege that the civic authorities are not bothered about the civic conditions in the area. ``The BWSSB recently dug up the roads and installed a big sanitary pipe which has not been of any help. Instead, the rubble that was left behind has worsened the conditions,'' Shantamma, a slum-dweller, said.

But not everything is miserable around here. The residents are happy with water and electricity supply and have no complaints. There is a Corporation school in the area but not many of the residents send their children there. The children generally are initiated into the family occupation of pottery.

Responding to the complaints, Mrs. Padmini Pradeep Kumar Reddy, local corporator, said, ``we recently laid sanitary pipes in the area, which (work) needs 10-15 days for consolidation. Under the 2001-2002 Programme of Works, the BMP has sanctioned Rs.5 lakhs for asphalting of roads in the area. We will begin this work soon.''

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