Rich history, but severe urban challenges pose a threat to Nagarathpete residents

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Located near prime market are as such as SP Road, KR Market, and Chickpet Market the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple ward faces several urban challenges.

Despite having a rich history the ward often experiences issues such as severe congestion, sewage overflow, garbage collection and so on.

BBMP Ward 119 under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is a blend of historical heritage and urban complexities.

Named after the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, a popular local landmark steeped in centuries-old history, this ward is home to approximately 27,000 residents.

The area has a blend of residential and commercial buildings, with a hub of commercial activity around Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Road.

The narrow streets of the ward often experience severe congestion as it is located near prime market areas.

The absence of designated parking spaces in the markets surrounding the ward and near the temple prompts people to park their two-wheelers and occasionally fourwheelers directly on the roads.

This exacerbates the already limited space, causing significant congestion and road blockages. This also reduces available road space but also contributes significantly to traffic congestion, further intensifying the problem and leading to frequent blockages and delays.

One shopkeeper Ganesh alleged, “There was a family of 6 staying here, and once the daughter-inlaw started working it became extremely difficult for the grandparents to get things done, so they sold their home for a low price and moved back to their hometown overnight.”

Another significant concern revolves around the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, a key attraction after which the ward is named, believed to be over 800 years old and one of the city’s oldest temples.

The rapid development of commercial establishments around the temple has resulted in a surge of visitors and residents, leading to overpopulation in the area.

This population boom, combined with the increasing number of commercial ventures, has exacerbated issues such as heightened garbage generation and elevated water consumption.

A local shopkeeper Ravikumar commented on the outdated infrastructure, stating, “While the area has seen rapid above-ground development, the underground stormwater drains were established during the city’s early developmental stages and have not been updated or even serviced, resulting in sewage overflow, especially during monsoon.”

Despite garbage accumulation at nearly every corner, residents have sadly grown accustomed to these unsanitary conditions.

Painting an image of the ward’s unawareness and carelessness of the residents and shopkeepers, a fruit vendor who has had his shop for over 14 years in the area remarked, “I dispose of my garbage here,” pointing to a roadside pile, “and occasionally, it just disappears. I have never really thought about it as an issue.”

The narrow roads of Dharmaraya Swamy Temple ward, particularly near SP Road, are filled with numerous potholes, posing a significant challenge for both motorists and pedestrians.

Since the roads are narrow, there are no pedestrian pathways and hardly one fourwheeler can pass through the street exacerbating the issue.

These potholes not only hinder traffic flow but also increase the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.

Residents and commuters frequently voice their concerns about the deteriorating road conditions, emphasising the urgent need for repairs and maintenance to ensure safer and more accessible roads in the area.