Frustrated residents raise infra concerns, MLA vows timely fix

Bengaluru: Frustrated by dug-up roads, choked traffic, and unsafe walking conditions, residents of JC Nagar, Benson Town, Jayamahal, and Nandi durga Road have voiced growing concerns over the ongoing water and sew age pipeline overhaul. In response, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad has promised timely completion and explained the rationale behind the work, urging citizens to cooperate for long term relief.

The pipeline revamp, launched to address a chronic water crisis, is being implemented in a pocket-wise manner and is expected to be completed within 90 days. These densely populated areas; home to apartment complexes, schools, places of worship, slums, and com mercial garages, have been disrupted by debris, discarded vehicles, and unmanaged waste.

The resulting conges tion has led to daily traffic snarls, accidents, and frayed tempers. Speaking to News Trail, MLA Rizwan Arshad ac knowledged the inconvenience but emphasised the scale of the problem being addressed.

“A massive water crisis affects Jayamahal, Nandidurga, JC Nagar and the surrounding areas, with 40% of water lost due to leaks before it reaches households. We are revamp ing the infrastructure scientifically. Though the work will cause temporary incon venience for 2–3 months, it will result in a smoother, more reliable water supply,” he said.

Meanwhile, many residents say the chaos is af fecting their everyday lives. Shazia, a local resident, said, “We commute on these stretches five or more times a day. There are constant road blocks, traffic pileups, and fear of falling off our bikes.” Another resident, Bindu, raised safety concerns: “We’ve been living in a construction zone for weeks.

Children are forced to walk dangerously close to moving vehicles. Where are the safety boards?” Residents also questioned the lack of proper footpaths and traffic management , pointing out that development should not come at the cost of public safety.

In response, MLA Rizwan added, “By doing this work in one go, we are avoiding prolonged disruptions that would otherwise drag on for four to five years if done in smaller phases. I appeal to residents to cooperate. We are also ensuring that safety measures and caution boards are in place during the construction period.”

While the MLA’s assur ances have offered some hope, residents say they will be closely watching the progress and expecting visible improvements in the coming weeks.