It is said that around nine tipper loads of waste were cleared from the spot. The students have painted the wall after removing garbage. “We decided to paint all religious symbols to prevent people from dumping garbage on the spot. We painted all religious symbols because we did not want to promote or give importance to a particular religion. The BBMP Health Inspector was very happy when we told her that we wanted to join hands with the BBMP to beautify the black spot,’’ said Harshitha N, a student. Stating that cleaning of garbage was part of community programmes at Christel House India, Vishnu Priya, a student, said that discussions were held to select the community work before finalising the black spot on PSK Naidu Road for beautification.
The stretch between Memorial Drive and Camp Road was dug up by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Major Pipelines Division for replacing underground drainage pipes. Though the replacement of UGD pipes is complete, the road is yet to be restored by the BWSSB authorities.
Emphasising the need to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols, Shwetha said, “It is essential to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols. I am delighted to attend this function along with Tara ma’am. I appeal to all to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols. We have to celebrate our festivals so they do not adversely impact the environment. I wish all the best to the organisers of this function.’
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has come up with various campaigns like adopt-a-flyover and so on in the past, this one stretch of close to 500 metres below the flyover is in a utter state of neglect. Residents of Cox Town have been raising the issue for the past two years now with the BBMP officials, but nothing has been done so far to clean the space.
According to the details available from the residents who have been staying in the area for years, a local Cox Town Market existed for 65 years in that area. In 1999, the local corporation decided to rebuild the market building. During this process, the shopkeepers were given makeshift shops on the footpaths and were asked to move there. One of the residents even went to the court and filed a case as the residents were deprived of their right to walk in peace on the footpath due to the encroachment of the space.